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Secondary education

Would you make your DC revise on Christmas Eve ?

59 replies

lilolilmanchester · 27/12/2013 20:24

Genuine question ... Friend's dd was not allowed at Christmas Eve party (which was also celebration of close friend's significant birthday ) because she had to revise for GCSE mocks in a couple of weeks time. I realise the exams are important, but was made to feel like a bad parent for asking why she couldn't have Christmas Eve off... Wouldn't have made my dd miss Christmas Eve/ big party ..... But maybe I've got it wrong?

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pictish · 27/12/2013 20:26

No I wouldn't.
There may be more to it that she was not prepared to discuss with you, like a grounding or something....but if not, I think that's too full on.

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Rowlers · 27/12/2013 20:28

Never. Christmas Eve was always special for me as a child and teenager. It's not for revision.

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bigTillyMintspie · 27/12/2013 20:29

No. They need time to unwind and enjoy themselves. I agree with Pictish that there may be more to it though.

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DramaAlpaca · 27/12/2013 20:30

No, definitely not. Agree there could well be a back story here.

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LeMousquetaireAnonyme · 27/12/2013 20:32

No, if they have studied properly it wouldn't make a difference, if they haven't studied properly it wouldn't make any difference either! Is it a punishment or something?

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NoComet · 27/12/2013 20:32

No way!
and I bet her DD didn't, I bet she watched YouTube, read a book, listened to music and plotted her mother's painful death.

No way would I suggest revision either of mine at such a ridiculous time, it simply wouldn't be done.

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tricot39 · 27/12/2013 20:45

No - because by GCSE it really should be for the DC to take responsibility for their own revision schedule. If they want to study on that day then fine, but I don't think that it is appropriate to force any revision. Support yes. Force no. Otherwise as a parent I will be stuck managing their lives forever more - which is not an appealing prospect as I want my own life back at some point!

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lilolilmanchester · 27/12/2013 20:50

There is no back story... Other than child spent day before doing something else the mother insisted she do ... I am a fairly confident parent and gut feel was that this was wrong .... Just wanted a second opinion thanks x

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lilolilmanchester · 27/12/2013 22:24

...and Mum has just declined another invitation over the holiday due to revision ....

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bruffin · 27/12/2013 22:29

Ds revised in the morning on xmas eve. He has A2 mocks. He did more today

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bruffin · 27/12/2013 22:29

Ds revised in the morning on xmas eve. He has A2 mocks. He did more today

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bruffin · 27/12/2013 22:29

Ds revised in the morning on xmas eve. He has A2 mocks. He did more today

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Att100 · 27/12/2013 22:32

depends on what's at stake and how far behind she is and what else went on prior to that ...I don't think you can really judge and you maybe apprised of all the facts. I also imagine it's pretty hard to "force" a teenager to do anything if they really don't want to.

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Att100 · 27/12/2013 22:33

you may not be apprised of all the facts, I mean.

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MrsSteptoe · 27/12/2013 22:37

I had DS do about 90 minutes practice papers in the morning. He's got 11+ entrance exams in January and things haven't really worked out as we hoped from the progress point of view. He was a star about it. But we've arranged things around invitations that he received so he doesn't miss out on anything.

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Att100 · 27/12/2013 22:45

yeah and you didn't "force" him so that's fine ....the things people complain about in the West....these really are First World problems aren't they .... I think of all the child labour and kids scavenging on dumpsites or kids in Syria where there is polio going around ...that's deprivation not some kid swotting up for some exams on Xmas Eve. Get a grip y'all.

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Kenlee · 27/12/2013 23:30

Well my daughter came back to HK after already taken her exams for Christmas and out of a class of 30 from primary only 6 of her friends would meet to watch a film...The others were either having to go to tutorials or having private tuition. The pressure on children to succeed is enormous.

Although the 6 that did come out are the smartest out of the group and don't really need the intensive tutoring. Although I suspect one did sneak out...

I just hope you had a great party without her

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Tuhlulah · 27/12/2013 23:31

DS in Year 7 has exams in January and has been doing 2 hours every day except Christmas Day. (20 days, 10 subjects, 2 hours per subject in half hour slots).

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Att100 · 27/12/2013 23:33

he should do well then Tululah....deserves to.

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NoComet · 28/12/2013 00:28

I love this idea that parents have that their DCs are revising?

Not staring into space, watching Dr Who, writing fan fiction or simply fast asleep.

IME suggesting too much time closeted with books just increases devious avoidance. DD1 is very sensible if gently reminded and a horror if nagged (just like her mother Grin)

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Att100 · 28/12/2013 00:32

aah but some children may be more "malleable" than others...though I imagine teenagers much less so....suspect there's more to this story anyway than meets the eye.

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monet3 · 28/12/2013 08:23

No I wouldn't.

I have a friend who made her DS revise on holiday last August for exams this coming June. He has missed all his friends parties this year also. He is 12 !!!

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TheArticFunky · 28/12/2013 10:15

Do year 7 exams even matter?

2 hours a day over the Christmas holidays surely he will be burnt out by the time he reaches GCSEs.

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StarlightMcKingsThree · 28/12/2013 10:18

Blimey, poor kid. Surely it is up to them when/if they revise.

And anyway, who revises for mocks?

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Coconutty · 28/12/2013 10:19

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