Almost 13 year old brain fog or what?

[LynnH]

I am not sure what is going on with my ds, but suddenly things seem to be way more challenging for him than they have been. In dictation he had been going along having to redo usually 1 passage a week, but the past several weeks he is having to redo every passage, sometimes twice. It is always little things like forgetting to capitalize the word Swiss. The weird thing is he will get something right one time and then the next he will miss it. Today he wrote the word directed on the white board fine and I know he knows how to spell that word, but then put 2 r's in it when he did his dictation. He got all the hard words, quotes and commas fine. It is so frustrating. I am freaking out because he is only on #81 in Level 4 of dictation. I though he would easily finish this level this year, but now I don't think he will. That seems very behind to me. I usually don't worry about that kind of thing, but this one is bothering me.

The other area he is struggling with this week is his Science written narration and his oral narration he did after Storytime. He hasn't had trouble with an oral narration in forever, but today he seemed to have trouble remembering things. Science took him 50 minutes today which never happens. He just really struggled coming up with his written narration. The only thing I can figure out is that both books are brand new this week and it may just take him time to get in the groove with these books. Has anyone else seen this with their dc when they start a new book?

Part of me wonders if it is just pre-teen/teen brain fog. He has grown a ton and continues to shoot up it seems weekly. Is it possible that a growth spurt could cause this?

[countrymom]

I am mainly responding to bump this thread for you as my oldest is not quite 7, however, as I read your post I was wondering if your son is still getting enough sleep? I read some interesting research once regarding this age group and the need for sleep (especially with growth spurts). Many children do not get enough sleep in the pre-teen/teen years and it has been shown to affect success in school. A couple of high schools actually adjusted their start times to start 1 to 1 1/2 hours later in hopes students would get more sleep and the testing results a year later after the adjustment were amazing. That is all I can think of at the moment, other than I am sure the hormone adjustments for that age group don't help either. Hopefully someone else will see this and have some insight for you.

[LynnH]

Countrymom, thanks for the reply and the bump. I have thought about the sleep as he takes a little longer to fall asleep these days and he is my early riser. He usually averages 9-91/2 hours though. Sometimes he sleeps 10. I rarely wake him up, he usually wakes up on his own around 7 and falls asleep around 9:30 or a little after. There are days though I know he has trouble falling asleep and he still wakes up early so I need to see if those are days he struggles more. Some days he is right on with everything and some days like yesterday he just seems off. The dictation struggle has been more consistent for the past few weeks and I am trying to figure out if he just doesn't want to put the effort forth to study it closely or what.

[deltagal]

I have one 13 yo and one 15 yo. I like your term "brain fog". I think you might be on to something. My 15 yo had it when he was 13 and now my 13 yo has it! It's an odd time, isn't it? I think they just need extra attention and direction at this age and food and sleep and structure and plenty of time outside. When we have all those things in place the fog is not as severe. My 15 yo did "outgrow" it and I'm hopeful that this will happen to my 13 yo.

[lmercon]

It absolutely could be related to a growth spurt or onset of puberty! All of his available energy is going into the growth of his body. If it is puberty, you can add in all sorts of hormones and chemicals that can lead to "brain fog." I'd just slow things down a bit, make sure he's getting MORE sleep, and keep plenty of protein in his diet. He'll probably break out of it soon. Boys tend to grow in quick spurts, but tremendous amounts.

[psreit]

Yes, sleep is important. However, a lot of sleep and little exercise doesn't help. My almost 9yo dd has been sleeping longer these days, but she still complains she feels tired through the day. With the weather getting nicer, I have been trying to get her out for walks or just for exercise through playing outdoors. It also helps the thinking be more clear.

Alos, have you had any days off recently. If not, maybe it would be good to take a break from the books. You are basically in the same type of climate as we are, and late winter is certainly a time we can feel very lethargic. I have been feeling so much better myself since I have been getting out. Otherwise, I agree with pp, just slow down for a while. Maybe a change in pace will help.

[arstephia]

Let me rest your mind at ease and tell you that it is completely NORMAL, but you will have to be diligent in helping him not establish bad habits. My own son has gone through this, and I actually taught middle school for several years and there is just something about that age that are common in the things you describe. A fellow teacher described it as a chemical "wash" that goes through the brain that kind of shorts things out from time to time. From my own experience with my son, that sums it up nicely. I would have students walk into my room for English, but would bring their Math text, sit down, and not realize it until halfway through the class! (And these were not the troublesome kids, they were the studious ones. LOL!) All of that to say, it is a phase of puberty. The important thing is to be PATIENT with them, but to NOT let them develop bad habits. Still expect the level of work, but be kind, loving and patient until this phase passes. Nutrition, exercise and sleep and PRAYER will help, too.

[LynnH]

Thank you for all your replies I feel much better now. I really think it is an age/puberty think. He has grown something like 6 inches in a year and a half. He is now shaving and yes he does need to. Today he had a great day. He has been a little funny with his eating habits lately, not eating as much protein as he should so I am going to monitor that closely. He is my outside kid so he does lots of playing and running around outside with his best friend/neighbor who is also homeschooled. Steph I like the idea of just making sure he doesn't develop any bad habits during this time. I will just keep gently encouraging him, holding him accountable and praying for him and for me in knowing how to handle this stage.

[my3sons]

This has been such a good thread to read! Wyatt has grown a ton too, and he is more prone to be emotional, which he never has been. He is my even keeled ds, so these rare bursts of emotion take me by surprise. He seems to be in a brain fog sometimes when he is weighing what to do especially, pausing for long moments to the point where I wonder if he heard me at all. Hormones. I do think that's probably it. I think it is wise advice not to let bad habits develop in the face of hormones - good thoughts! Some women are downright awful to everyone around them, saying and doing terrible things, in the name of 'it's that time of the month for me'. I can definitely relate to those feelings, as I'm sure all of you can too - NOT a favorite time for any of us I am sure, but I think it's important not to let nasty behavior reign in the name of hormones. It's the same for our dc - good points!

In Christ,
Julie