Television personality and singer Frankie Bridge has spoken candidly about feeling "helpless" as her youngest son grapples with the emotional fallout from a recent dyslexia diagnosis.
An Hour-Long Meltdown and School Refusal
The Loose Women panellist revealed that her 11-year-old son, Carter, endured an "hour-long tearful meltdown" recently, directly linked to his struggles at school. Frankie explained that the youngster has been pleading to be home-educated and has been refusing point-blank to attend his lessons.
The diagnosis, which Frankie describes as "life-altering," has led to a distressing pattern. "He's been crying about going back into school quite a lot," she shared in a heartfelt YouTube video, appearing visibly exhausted. She confessed it "breaks her heart" to hear him detail his difficulties, even in subjects like food technology where there is "loads of writing."
A Mother's Feelings of Helplessness
Frankie, who shares Carter and his older brother Parker, 12, with her ex-husband, former footballer Wayne Bridge, described the intense sense of powerlessness she experiences. "I feel really helpless, and I don't know what else I can do for him really," she told viewers.
While acknowledging Carter wants her to agree to homeschooling, Frankie expressed reservations. She emphasised the importance of socialisation and stated that home education wouldn't be a realistic solution for their family. Her primary fear is that the current struggle could make him "hate the next eight years of his education."
Taking Action and Engaging the School
Determined to find a way forward, Frankie took the crucial step of speaking directly with Carter's teachers. In a follow-up video, she disclosed that she clearly communicated his need for additional support to manage the challenges posed by dyslexia.
Thankfully, the response from his new school was positive and marked a contrast to previous experiences. "They just couldn't be nicer," Frankie said. "At the last school it was a complete battle to get them to do anything. But at this school they're like 'right let's do this'."
This proactive approach from the school offers a glimmer of hope for Carter's educational journey. Frankie's decision to publicly share their story highlights the wider challenges many parents face when navigating the education system with a child who has learning differences.
Last year, Frankie also touched on the complexities of modern parenting, contrasting her children's digital-heavy lives with her own analogue childhood. She admitted finding the balance "overwhelming," citing concerns over gaming and social media while acknowledging that "so much of what we do is online now."
