New school year...let the worrying begin! :(

[ChristinaR1967]

E-learning or virtual school was great for my son, who has inattentive adhd. He was able to work at his own pace and that was a game changer for him. His grades went up! I was able to stay on his academics even more and that really helped as well. He is an introvert and homebody, so that was really helpful as well. Well, he will be a senior this year. Due to Covid concerns, we wanted to do e-learning the first semester and see how things go and he return in January and finish his school year. His school is offering virtual school, but you have to be withdrawn from your home school and go to some "virtual academy". Also, we opt for this and try to return in January, there is a possibility he may not be accepted back, because of overpopulation (his high school is very popular, has a waitlist). I am worried about him returning due to Covid and struggles with ADHD in the classroom. I wanted one more semester. I feel like all I've done is WORRY ever school year. I'm at a loss. He wants to stay home this semester. I'm at a loss. The shutdown was great for us, honestly. Anyone else having these feelings?

[Onthemove1971]

He is so close to finishing school..Does he have a plan for after high school?

Maybe working on that will help you worry less.

I am happy we are done with virtual learning. Our son needs to be in a social network in person and not behind the screen. He also has challanging classes where he needs to be with his teacher and peers.

Our son has also gotten the vaccine and will wear a mask. His school is very careful with groups of people and follows state guidelines with the appropriate distance apart.

Good luck!

[ChristinaR1967 in reply to Onthemove1971]

Yes, he has a plan. He is going to go to college part-time (2-3 classes) and work part-time.

My son is against getting the vaccine. He says he's concerned about "long term effects". However, he is a great mask wearer. I respect his decision. I had to get the vaccine because I work for a university and it was mandated.

The thing is, he has been doing virtual since March 2020 and has not worn a mask for more than a few hours at church or quick trips to the store. I think it will be very difficult for him wearing a mask for 6 to 7 hours a day.

As far as virtual work, it has been an absolute great thing for him. He struggles in the classroom with his ADHD and it's been a blessing with him being able to work at his own pace.

We are moving forward with in-person, if we can't get a promise in writing from the principal that he can come back in January if we decide on the virtual option.

[Onthemove1971 in reply to ChristinaR1967]

I wish that educational systems were different.. but he would be asking the school to "hold" his seat in the general education classroom for him only for half the year and schools must plan for a full year. Seats=teachers ( also food, supplies, etc..) needed to teach those subjects and I am not sure they can do that. Of course we wish it were different. Good luck it sounds like he has a great plan..

If he goes to community college he could ask for support, if he is getting a thing now. College is really different than high school.

[MeadowLane5]

Let the worrying begin .. you said it.We have had a similar response with remote learning. Our daughter thrived learning at her own pace, was involved and eager to learn. She benefited from us prompting and redirecting when needed . That being said she wants to go back in person for the social interaction and all the fun that a school experience can bring. Only thing is prior to pandemic I received many calls and write ups from her school which was exhausting and quite frankly depressing. I am hopeful she matured some and won’t go back to similar patterns of the past. As for your son, what does he want ? My suggestion is you can start in person ( if her wants to) and if it doesn’t work for him then go remote. I would think starting mid year in person should create many changes and can be too stressful.

[Maryca1974]

I’ve worried every year (my son is 16) and last year was one of his worst. But I’ve given up worrying about school and I spend my time with him talking about things he enjoys and about helping others. He’s not good at dchool but he can be helpful at our church’s food bank, or playing with his rambunctious nephew, and being the life of the lunch table (he’s very friendly). Our society is so focused on school success and it make our kids who do t fit the mold feel worthless. (We live in a highly educated, good school district, etc…) my husband and I try to tell our kids that success isn’t just school, degree, and $$$, but they keep hearing that from every other direction.