As it is designed for businesses to promote themselves I don't feel too guilty about this (and why should I feel guilty about it anyway?) as some of the prompts don't seem relevant to me.
I am also 2 days late with my 7th post, but Wednesday and Thursday have seen me planning lessons and marking until 9.30pm (or later) and I just haven't had the energy or enthusiasm to blog. I don't consider I have 'failed', my 30 days will just take a little longer to complete.
Wednesday also saw me accompany the older-by-one-minute son to the Post 16 open evening at his school. He has no idea what he would like to do next, so I am just encouraging him to take a mix of subjects that he enjoys and perhaps one or two that are 'academic'. We are keeping his options open.
It seems that now I have to worry about what post-16 qualifications they take, because this will affect what 'quality' of university they will get into.
My heart says 'let them do what they enjoy and are interested in' but my head worries whether this will get them into university and more importantly will they get a 'good' job at the end of it?
But I have to accept that it is their life and that my children (who are becoming young men) need to follow their own path through it. So I shall do my worrying in the background and support them in whatever their choices are.
For the younger-by-one-minute son this choice is to do a BTEC Level 3, because his interest is in computers, 3D design and programming. My mother is convinced this will leave him unemployable - she is very 'old school' when it comes to A-levels and doesn't appreciate how education has changed since I was at school *yes I know it was a very long time ago* :)
And I thought I just had to worry about them passing their GCSE's!
It sometimes feels as though we get over one of life's hurdles and another pops up to take its place. But without the down's we wouldn't have the ups to enjoy.
I hope to be back to blogging daily (for the remaining 23 days of the challenge anyway) and am planning on joining in with a few photography/scrapbook memes.
See you there
Louise x
It certainly seems like they have so much more to worry about than we ever did. More parents meetings, more forms to fill in, more things to decide, more things to go wrong. It seemed easier way back then. Or maybe it's like childbirth..and we forget the bad bits. But yes..it's a fine line we tread in supporting them
ReplyDeleteAnd I thought parenting would get easier as they grew up!
DeleteIt is difficult, I agree. My daughter was quite certain she didn't want to stay on at school and follow the path of A Levels. We looked around all the local (and not so!) colleges and she found the one she wanted. She is loving the course and it was the right decision for her. It sounds like you're doing all you can to help and support your children.
ReplyDeleteThere seems to be a lot of pressure to do A levels these days. Son no 2 is more academic in his attitude (if that makes sense). I expected him to want to do A levels. But like your daughter he knew it was where he wanted to go and what he wanted to do.
ReplyDeleteTimes are so different now. My daughter is keen to take Chemistry at Uni and to she worked that out in year 10 (goodness knows how, I'm convinced it's because she likens it to a Harry Potter potions class!!) anyway she is still on the same path in year 12 but I worry she'll change tack somewhere and want to be a vet or something totally different! As long as we have supported them and guided them I don't think there's much more we can do. Sounds like you are doing lots of both Louise x
ReplyDeleteWhilst it is stressful having two going through it at the same time, at least it is also out of the way for a few years then. I think the worst part is the son who isn't sure what he wants to do. I have a sneaking suspicion he would like to do drama/performing arts but is worried that he would never get a job if he does this. I always knew what A levels I wanted to do, and assumed they would too - big mistake!
DeleteIt seems to me that youngsters have to start deciding what they want to "do" at a very early age. The choices are hard. My older daughter is not terribly academic. A levels were not really for her. She did a Level 3 BTEC and did well in it. It was far more practical and course work based. Where she missed out was not having the same sport activities and D of E etc activities available at college which my one has had at school.
ReplyDeleteThere is so much pressure these days for young people and I don't agree with measuring by qualifications. Neither of my children wanted to go to university but both found their own path and are happy with their choices as adults. My son is a manager in the NHS and lack of university education doesn't seem to have got jn his way. I never went to university until both my own children were grown and in employment because I choose to home educate them both and saw this as my career at that point jn time. I hope your sons enjoy what they do because that is so important.
ReplyDelete