DC not digging school anymore.

[Anonymous]

8th grade MS. This year in particular the early start is really getting to them. Typically has gotten straight As in AAP classes but seems uninterested and some classes currently my showin as Bs (although it’s early, I know). Since ES there has been some shifting in the friendship circle but there are still a few core friends he hangs with. Maybe allergies are having an impact? Once some activities start up I’m hoping for a little more enthusiasm v
But right now my spidey sense has me concerned.

[Anonymous]

Uh, school refusal is not something that is related to things as flimsy as "allergies."

Major shifts in mood and motivation like this are a signal flare for something much more serious. You need to dig deep and fast.

Start by looking through his phone and computer. Usually, the root cause of whatever is ailing them will be documented in there either in communications with friends or the sites and apps they're using. Once you've gathered intel on what might be causing your son to detach and disconnect, get help fast. Therapy/counseling, engage the school, etc. Grab every resource you can and don't take anything lightly. Intervention at this stage can save you and him from things really going off the rails.

[Anonymous]

Maybe 7th grade was more challenging then he expected and 8th grade is shaping up the same way?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:8th grade MS. This year in particular the early start is really getting to them. Typically has gotten straight As in AAP classes but seems uninterested and some classes currently my showin as Bs (although it’s early, I know). Since ES there has been some shifting in the friendship circle but there are still a few core friends he hangs with. Maybe allergies are having an impact? Once some activities start up I’m hoping for a little more enthusiasm v
But right now my spidey sense has me concerned.

School just started. Getting Bs in first week or so is totally normal. Kids get serious soon. The first weeks are just fun and friends and getting back in the groove.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:8th grade MS. This year in particular the early start is really getting to them. Typically has gotten straight As in AAP classes but seems uninterested and some classes currently my showin as Bs (although it’s early, I know). Since ES there has been some shifting in the friendship circle but there are still a few core friends he hangs with. Maybe allergies are having an impact? Once some activities start up I’m hoping for a little more enthusiasm v
But right now my spidey sense has me concerned.

Digging? Spider sense?

Boss Daddy-O!!

[Anonymous]

Digging?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Uh, school refusal is not something that is related to things as flimsy as "allergies."

Major shifts in mood and motivation like this are a signal flare for something much more serious. You need to dig deep and fast.

Start by looking through his phone and computer. Usually, the root cause of whatever is ailing them will be documented in there either in communications with friends or the sites and apps they're using. Once you've gathered intel on what might be causing your son to detach and disconnect, get help fast. Therapy/counseling, engage the school, etc. Grab every resource you can and don't take anything lightly. Intervention at this stage can save you and him from things really going off the rails.

Clearly you do not suffer significantly from seasonal allergies. It can make you feel completely knocked out - my whole family is suffering right now!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Uh, school refusal is not something that is related to things as flimsy as "allergies."

Major shifts in mood and motivation like this are a signal flare for something much more serious. You need to dig deep and fast.

Start by looking through his phone and computer. Usually, the root cause of whatever is ailing them will be documented in there either in communications with friends or the sites and apps they're using. Once you've gathered intel on what might be causing your son to detach and disconnect, get help fast. Therapy/counseling, engage the school, etc. Grab every resource you can and don't take anything lightly. Intervention at this stage can save you and him from things really going off the rails.

I’ve done all of that - nothing new, unusual or alarming in his online activity. He was a bit panicked last year at onset of MS and we explored counseling but no one was available. Fortunately he seemed to adjust within the first month and had a great year. Just hoping that’s the case again this year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:8th grade MS. This year in particular the early start is really getting to them. Typically has gotten straight As in AAP classes but seems uninterested and some classes currently my showin as Bs (although it’s early, I know). Since ES there has been some shifting in the friendship circle but there are still a few core friends he hangs with. Maybe allergies are having an impact? Once some activities start up I’m hoping for a little more enthusiasm v
But right now my spidey sense has me concerned.

Digging? Spider sense?

Boss Daddy-O!!

So helpful 🙄

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:8th grade MS. This year in particular the early start is really getting to them. Typically has gotten straight As in AAP classes but seems uninterested and some classes currently my showin as Bs (although it’s early, I know). Since ES there has been some shifting in the friendship circle but there are still a few core friends he hangs with. Maybe allergies are having an impact? Once some activities start up I’m hoping for a little more enthusiasm v
But right now my spidey sense has me concerned.

Thanks for saying this and for providing a serious, non-snarky response.

School just started. Getting Bs in first week or so is totally normal. Kids get serious soon. The first weeks are just fun and friends and getting back in the groove.

[Anonymous]

There might be 1 degree of separation here

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There might be 1 degree of separation here

Explain

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Uh, school refusal is not something that is related to things as flimsy as "allergies."

Major shifts in mood and motivation like this are a signal flare for something much more serious. You need to dig deep and fast.

Start by looking through his phone and computer. Usually, the root cause of whatever is ailing them will be documented in there either in communications with friends or the sites and apps they're using. Once you've gathered intel on what might be causing your son to detach and disconnect, get help fast. Therapy/counseling, engage the school, etc. Grab every resource you can and don't take anything lightly. Intervention at this stage can save you and him from things really going off the rails.

Clearly you do not suffer significantly from seasonal allergies. It can make you feel completely knocked out - my whole family is suffering right now!

It’s pretty obvious if someone is significantly suffering from seasonal allergies. So, not sure why OP is confused if allergies are impacting her son.

As always, the first thing to do it to TALK to the kid and figure out what’s goin on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Uh, school refusal is not something that is related to things as flimsy as "allergies."

Major shifts in mood and motivation like this are a signal flare for something much more serious. You need to dig deep and fast.

Start by looking through his phone and computer. Usually, the root cause of whatever is ailing them will be documented in there either in communications with friends or the sites and apps they're using. Once you've gathered intel on what might be causing your son to detach and disconnect, get help fast. Therapy/counseling, engage the school, etc. Grab every resource you can and don't take anything lightly. Intervention at this stage can save you and him from things really going off the rails.

I’ve done all of that - nothing new, unusual or alarming in his online activity. He was a bit panicked last year at onset of MS and we explored counseling but no one was available. Fortunately he seemed to adjust within the first month and had a great year. Just hoping that’s the case again this year.

Ok, then if you've looked into the online activity and don't see any cause for concern, try to get your kid to open up. They might, as others said, just be having general anxiety around getting back into the routine, as you suggested.

But you know your kid best and the best way to get to the root of the problem is digging in deep with your kid about his thoughts, feelings and mental state. And if you can't do it yourself, hire an expert to do so.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Uh, school refusal is not something that is related to things as flimsy as "allergies."

Major shifts in mood and motivation like this are a signal flare for something much more serious. You need to dig deep and fast.

Start by looking through his phone and computer. Usually, the root cause of whatever is ailing them will be documented in there either in communications with friends or the sites and apps they're using. Once you've gathered intel on what might be causing your son to detach and disconnect, get help fast. Therapy/counseling, engage the school, etc. Grab every resource you can and don't take anything lightly. Intervention at this stage can save you and him from things really going off the rails.

Clearly you do not suffer significantly from seasonal allergies. It can make you feel completely knocked out - my whole family is suffering right now!

It’s pretty obvious if someone is significantly suffering from seasonal allergies. So, not sure why OP is confused if allergies are impacting her son.

As always, the first thing to do it to TALK to the kid and figure out what’s goin on.

Not always. It can manifest in many ways and not just sneezing and congestion. Some more serious sufferers can experience extreme headaches, fatigue, nausea and stomach upset. Don’t be so dismissive.