Advice

Can’t concentrate.

March 31, 2017

QUESTION

I am so worried about my Mum and her cancer and what is going to happen to her. I keep getting into trouble at school and the teachers are always shouting at me and telling me to concentrate and get on with the lesson but I can’t, it’s impossible. What can I do?

Answer from the Suzie Hope Team

This is a very natural and common response and reaction when you are trying to manage and cope with such devastating news. This has changed the way your life is for now.

One thing that you can begin to do whilst caring for your Mum is also to care for yourself. Your education and schooling is important now and for your future.

Try to find one person in school that you can go to and talk about how you are struggling and they will find some ways that school in general and your individual teachers can help you. This may feel very hard as you are already feeling overwhelmed but they can’t help you if they don’t understand what is going on at home. This could be your tutor/head of year or house or someone else on the pastoral team/school nurse/first aid etc.

When you are at home try to find a balance between spending time with Mum and helping her and finding time to do some homework and then plenty of time to chill and relax and be you, keep in contact with your friends and keep up your hobbies. You don’t know what the future will bring; none of us do so try to focus on the small steps and stay with the now. Small steps at a time; be patient with yourself.

If you get in touch with the Suzie Hope team we can help you to plan those small and achievable steps that will help you to feel more in control of everything that is going on right now.