All About Parenting Teenagers

[mindscape]

mingnjien\" post_id=\"2020839\" time=\"1618904811\" user_id=\"165835:

My child has been talking about quitting school for over a year now.... mine can’t be the only one right? So tired

How did you approach this issue to your teenager? Maybe it would be nice to explain to her what will happen if she doesn't finish her studies. An example would be hard to find a decent job, boosting confidence would be hard in social gatherings and etc.

[sharonkhoo]

mingnjien\" post_id=\"2020839\" time=\"1618904811\" user_id=\"165835:

My child has been talking about quitting school for over a year now.... mine can’t be the only one right? So tired

How old is the child, and what stage of education is he/she? Any particular interests other than the academic route?

[Vicky2016]

mingnjien\" post_id=\"2020839\" time=\"1618904811\" user_id=\"165835:

My child has been talking about quitting school for over a year now.... mine can’t be the only one right? So tired

I am no expert but I really sympathize your situation. Why don't you take her to a counselor so that she understands the consequences. I believe that probably she can't see the big picture yet. Even if she is not good in her studies , institutions like ite can train her with important skills that might wequire her to get a job and steady income in future. Sometimes kids would listen to other people than parents. If I was in your situation I think I will threaten , but thats not the right way. Seek help.

[Vicky2016]

mingnjien\" post_id=\"2020839\" time=\"1618904811\" user_id=\"165835:

My child has been talking about quitting school for over a year now.... mine can’t be the only one right? So tired

I am no expert but I really sympathize your situation. Why don't you take her to a counselor so that she understands the consequences. I believe that probably she can't see the big picture yet. Even if she is not good in her studies , institutions like ite can train her with important skills that might wequire her to get a job and steady income in future. Sometimes kids would listen to other people than parents. If I was in your situation I think I will threaten , but thats not the right way. Seek help.

[mingnjien]

Thank you for your replies!


He’s currently sec 2. He says he’s just really bored with school and doesn’t see the point in going, doesn’t learn much from school (according to him) so it’s just tedious.

He knows the big picture about how his results now will determine the job (and pay) he gets next time etc. I think he sees his father working long hours and thinks it’s hard working for a comfortable life also.

He has no particular interests. In fact, everything is dull to him at the moment. I asked if he was depressed and he said he isn’t. I referred him to an article on nyt and asked if he’s “languishing” and he said he isn’t…

I get cut off before I can give any advice and if I empathize, he’ll also think I’m just trying to belittle his feelings (cos it’s so common)…

If I don’t say anything and just listen, that’s wrong too cos it seems like I don’t care.

Really hope it’s just “stress” of the coming CT that’s behind it.

I have an appt w a counselor in June cos I don’t know what to say/do.

[zac's mum]

Sorry but I find it strange that he has no particular interests. Does he simply stare into space during his free time? If he quits school, what does he plan to be doing with his time? Sleep whole day? Stare into space?


Can the father take him to work one whole day & let him shadow along to see what working life is about? It’s not necessarily going to be less dull (or less tiring) than school.

[mingnjien]

😂 he finds no joy in doing anything including playing video games. He does listen to music or read books too but there’s no joy from it. So it’s a little bit more interesting than staring into space but I suppose the void is there.


Sometimes hb works from home and he’s on calls all day or doing work. He does see his father working a lot and he knows it’s not more desirable than school.

In fact, it’s like going from one miserable existence to the next.

Today he had a long day in school and he came back saying that he was so exhausted he can’t even think about not going to school. I’m like I think it’s a good thing. 😅

[zac's mum]

If it’s really no joy even in leisure pursuits, and not even friends or CCA to look forward to in school…possibly depression?

[Estéema]

mingnjien\" post_id=\"2020947\" time=\"1618996415\" user_id=\"165835:

😂 he finds no joy in doing anything including playing video games. He does listen to music or read books too but there’s no joy from it. So it’s a little bit more interesting than staring into space but I suppose the void is there.

Sometimes hb works from home and he’s on calls all day or doing work. He does see his father working a lot and he knows it’s not more desirable than school.

In fact, it’s like going from one miserable existence to the next.

Today he had a long day in school and he came back saying that he was so exhausted he can’t even think about not going to school. I’m like I think it’s a good thing. 😅

I empathize with you as ano parent.

I can’t help wondering if he needs emotional charge from daddy as the man-figure & father-figure. Many times, young men need the male model to get the meaning for their life pursuit. Teenage stage is a critical stage to get them over identity search & identity crisis. They need a strong steering for their purpose in life. It’s often very draining & tiring for mums to be the only guide & beacon. Talk to your hubby & make a decisive choose to amicably support yr son’s development.

I had a peer who gave up his hectic mktg & travelling job 3 years back when he saw how willful his older daughter was. He nvr turned back coz both are now well guided. He’s the SAHF with wife FTWM on her one salary.

[MrsKiasu]

Is he having enough sleep?