10 year old skipping/missing school?

Question

My 10 year old little sitster has only been ot school 3 times inthe last two months. She claims to be sick every day and flat out refuses to go to school,and so my parents let her stay home. She has had many blood tests, and we're fairly confident nothing is medically wrong with her. Her only symptom is not wanting to go to school. So my question to you is: What are some reasons a healthy ten year old wouldnot want to go to school?

I was thinking maybe she was getting bullied, but she says she isn't. I also thaught maybe she was struggling with school (I was diagnosed with dyslexia when I was ten). After that, I'm just not sure. Any one have any advice? Any ideas on getting her to go back to school?

Answer 1

My only advice is to have your parents reported for being such idiots and letting her stay home!  This is their fault, not the 10 year old child's.

If she just leaves school as soon as you leave her there, she needs to be walked to her classroom like a little child.  Your parents then need to explain to the school authorities that she is not allowed to leave without their permission for any reason whatsoever.  I can't imagine the teachers just letting her leave.  This sounds very stange to me.

Answer 2

Oh my goodness. Why aren't your parents making her go to school? Wow, I have a 9-year-old son. I can't imagine letting him stay home for no good reason. That  is so crazy to me. That's not even an option. Are your parents scared of her or something? And why isn't she being punished for missing so much school? Wow!

Answer 3

Your parents need to crack down and get her to go to school. If she is missing so much they can be brought up on charges unless the doctors can find something medically wrong with her. Your parents can send her to a boarding school so she can't skip or a militarty type school. If your parents can't control her the military school will.

Answer 4

problems with a teacher? lazy?

there are million reason why she wouldn't want to go to school, i would suggest to your parents making her go whether she claims to be sick or not, send her little butt on her merry way.

Answer 5

As everyone says. If there's nothing wrong with her health, she should be forced to go to school. Sit her down and have serious talk with her, what is the real problem, show her that she can trust you whatever problem it is. But you're saying she says she's not bullied, so obviously she's just lazy, or have a problems with learning. I would also consider to taking her to a psychologist if this doesn't stop, it's not good for her education...I'm also wondering if she has any friends, if she's staying home all days...She must be bored, as everybody is at school.

Answer 6

Just because she says there is no bully doesn't mean there isn't someone making her life miserable. Someone could be making her life a living h**l without being a bully, there are many snobs out there who outcast others. it can be real rough.

Maybe there is a teacher making her life difficult, or maybe the work IS to hard..or too easy.

Try having a heart to heart with her.

Answer 7

I'm pretty sure that is against the law.  3 times in the last 2 months is pretty much just dropping out of school.  Why is she allowed to miss? If nothing is wrong with her she has to be forced to go to school.   My rule is that when ever the kids miss school they are not allowed to go outside the house, not eat any treats, etc even if they miraculously "feel better" at 3 o clock.  Shes obviously having issues at that school and does not want to tell the family.  Have her switched to a new school NOW she is going to be very very behind.  She'll probably already have to repeat the grade already.  If she's at a new school atleast no one will know she failed.

Answer 8

She might have a bully. Also, maybe she just knows she can get away with it. If she does that, punish her. Take away privelages. If it comes to it, no supper. Education is important and if a punishment seems harsh think, would I rather have her momentarily upset or without a good future?

If it comes to it, homeschool her.

Answer 9

if this child is not being bullied and is not sick and is not being hurt at school then I would have to say time to be firm and take her to school... make her go to school..  you have to sit limits...  I would want to make sure nothing is happening ot make her not want to go to school... I would meet with the school counselor,, see what can be done to work on this situation.. she has to go to school.. parents could get into legal problems too... good luck to you..

Answer 10

Just give her a good swift kick in the butt and make her go!

If she missed any more, she is going to end up having to repeat the year, and I doubt she wants that.

EDIT:  If she leaves, then tell her she will have to endure the humiliation of one or both parents walking her to her homeroom and making sure she sits at her desk (or maybe one could threaten to spend the entire day with her).  Instruct the teachers that she is not to leave under any circumstances (isn't that a given?).

If that doesn't work, call a truant officer.  Sounds like it might be the only thing that gets through to her.  Your parents have let this go on far too long.

Answer 11

I have seen many kids like this, and it starts in school.  He either has a demeaning teacher or a meanie in school who bothers him.  Talk to the school counselor and she can set up a meeting with the teacher and see what it is in the day that bothers your child.

Answer 12

I grew up poor with only 3 outfits to wear only one pair of shoes and the same jacket for 3 yrs in a roll I don't know about you but this was very embarrassing when my Friends talked about shoes and style and toys and  cool stuff I could not talk about. maybe its a complex problem or maybe something is going on at home when nobody is there.

Answer 13

Reward her if she can finish a week at school and punish her if she acts out again.

If it doesn't work, talk to her teachers and ask what their lessons are, bring her books and homeschool her. Its the only thing to do.

Answer 14

Short of forcing your sister to attend school and having someone babysit her all day to make sure she doesn't leave...there's not a lot you can do to MAKE her stay at school.

I believe, however, there is a more important question to be asking in this situation. Why doesn't she want to go to school? There are so many answers to this question that your head could spin...problems with a classmate, problems with a teacher, problems with her classwork...or, even problems with not feeling well such as she's claiming.

If you want to get to the heart of the matter and your sister isn't offering up any information I'd say it's time for you to become a sleuth.

Think back to the first time you can remember this problem existing:

What was going on in her life back then?

Any changes in living situation, parents fighting, any family members come for an unexpected visit?

Have her eating habits changed?

What's her general attitude toward you, other family members, her friends?

Does she have a close friend you could talk with to see if they've noticed any changes or if she's shared any details?

What's her attitude/energy level during the day when she stays at home? Does she seem sick, or not?

You can see where the progression is going here...right? Look for the thing or things that have changed since her behavior has changed. If you can't find any good home-based reasons for the changes, start checking at school.

If a mere few months ago she was happy,  healthy and attending school and now she's not...something's changed. Your job is to find out what that is.

Good Luck!

The Coach