Sometimes things don't work out the way you want them to, no matter how much you plan ahead.

With everything that has been happening with Boo recently I knew we needed to make some changes.

I put a plan in place to try and turn things around for him, to enable him to have an easier time.

Daddy D and I decided that school just isn't working for Boo anymore.
Although lots of SEN children do cope in a mainstream learning environment, that just isn't the case for Boo.

 After discussing it thoroughly, and doing lots of research, we decided that the best plan would be to withdraw Boo from school after the summer holidays, and to home educate him instead.

Waiting until the summer would enable me to put everything in place for his home learning, and would also mean that Bubba would be in full time school when Boo's home education was starting.

But, as I said before, sometimes things just don't work out the way you plan.


Boo's anxiety has been worsening every day; waking up with anxiety related chest pain at the very thought of going to school.

He has been frustrated, withdrawn, and aggressive.

It became abundantly clear that the changes we want to make cannot wait until summer.

Enough is enough.  We just can't watch him suffer any more.


So, on Friday I contacted his school to tell them he wouldn't be returning.

His attendance levels were already ridiculously low due to his refusal to leave the house in the mornings, and it seemed completely pointless to force him in to a situation that was seemingly doing him more harm than good.

I spoke with the school's education officer and they were extremely understanding about the whole situation.  They can fully understand why we have come to this decision, and they are even arranging for Boo to go in to school after half term so that he can say goodbye to his teachers.
Especially his class teacher who has looked after him for the last 2 years.
He has really bonded with her and will miss her more than anyone else.
I am so appreciative to her for all of the help and support she has given him during his time at high school.
If you ever see this Mrs W ..... Thank You, from the bottom of my heart.



Boo always tries incredibly hard at everything.  He will do the very best he can, but still not reach the levels that are expected of him.

This isn't his fault, or the fault of the school, it is just yet another complication of his condition.

The term after the summer holidays would have seen Boo choosing his GCSE options and starting to complete coursework in preparation for his exams.

Exams that his school reports and assessments have already shown us he is extremely unlikely to pass.

I will always encourage Boo to do his very best in life, but I also have to be realistic.

Why make him suffer the extra anxiety and frustration of studying for (and sitting) his exams when he wasn't going to be benefiting from them?



Instead I will keep him home with me.

I will teach him the things he enjoys the most and attempt to make learning fun for him.  I will take him on educational days out, and teach him life skills that will give him the chance to become as independent as possible.

Skills he will actually make use of.

I am also looking into having a SEN tutor coming to the house to help Boo with his maths and English skills as I personally feel these are the 2 most important subjects for him to continue with, and the ones he can make use of in his life as an 'independent' adult.

I am under no illusion that it is going to be easy.

But I have to do what is best for Boo.
What is best for his future.


As well as meeting his educational needs I also want to address his social skills.

He had no friends at school, didn't take part in any social activities, and very rarely wants to leave the house.

I want to try and change this.

Already I am looking into local groups that he can join.  Groups of children he can relate to and who will accept him for who he is.

Boo is very passionate about drama and has expressed his wish to be an actor when he is older, so I am also looking in to finding a suitable drama group for him to join.

It's going to take a while to find our feet and establish a routine, but I am fully confident that this is the right thing to do for Boo, and for us as a family.

Here's hoping I see the happier and less anxious version of him again soon.

Missy x