Hello From the Buckeye State

[breaunna]

Hello,

My name is BreAunna, and I'm from Ohio. I am trying to get my parents to consider homeschooling because I get harrassed nearly 4 times a school week. I get called many names, but my parents say," That'll happen nearly every where you go." I was like it won't happen at home. They just laugh about it, when I'm serious. :mad:

Anyway,.. If you could try to give me some advice on how to convince my parents that would be a great help!

~* Bre*~

[Jackie]

Hello, Bre! I'm Jackie. You sent me an e-mail asking me pretty much the same question. I thought I'd rather reply here, if you don't mind. Please be careful about giving lots of personal information here! Anyone could be reading this board, and it simply isn't safe to share too much!

What grade are you in? That will make a big difference. Also, is your mom home during the day? (That question isn't necesarrily meant to be answered to us...it's one of those "safety" things that you shouldn't share on-line!) If your mom works, she simply may not want you home alone. I know I wouldn't! She probably doesn't have the time or energy to invest in homeschooling. It's LOT OF WORK! Are you capable of working independently? How well do you follow through with jobs your parents give you? Can you get chores done on your own, or do you need constant reminding? What are your current grades like?

The best way to convince your parents is to prove to them that you are a responsible young lady. Learn to be submissive to their will, as they make their decisions based on what they feel is BEST FOR YOU. When you disagree, be very respectful about it! I would consider on-line school rather than homeschooling. This is where you more or less take all your classes on computer. Some of these programs are considered private, some are considered Charter Schools. In that sense, they are NOT homeschooling, but rather schooling done at home. You would probably still be required to take the State Profeciency Test if you chose this option. But it would also mean that your parents wouldn't be doing any real "teaching", in a sense. that would all be done on-line.

Hope this gets you started! I just don't want you to think homeschooling is a sleep-in, stay-up-late, do-what-I-want-when-I-want arrangement. It means setting your own goals and making sure they are met, setting a time schedule that will work for you, and being responsible to follow through.

[JenPooh]

Well Bre, you do have to look at your parents situation too. I know that can be hard as a kid/teenager. Do they both work? Will they be able to devote the time it takes to teach you? If you are serious, you need to tell them how serious you are, sit down and ask for a family meeting and discuss the issue. Make sure you and your parents are listening to each other and understand the circumstances involved on both sides. Sometimes, homeschooling just isn't feasible, but you should still let you feelings be known in a mature understanding manner. Maybe they will see how serious you are.

I know how bullying goes when you are in school. I've been there. I was bullied. Everyone, no matter who they are, gets bullied one way or another. I was a cheerleader, in drama and choir, and still got bullied by girls who were into gangs. I was different from them, so they bullied me. The best thing to do is stick up for yourself. I'm not saying get yourself into trouble, but stand up for yourself. Usually people bully because they know the person who they are bullying will not do anything about it. If you do something about it, there is a greater chance they will leave you alone. To be honest, I would tell them to grow up. Instead of running away from your problems, solve them and face them if you have to...it will only make you a stronger person as an adult. Stick to friends that you have too.

When you are older and out of school, you will realize that these people are the ones who usually end up getting in more trouble when they are out of school. Be proud of who you are, because I'm sure you'll make something of yourself when you are older...they probably will not. The girls that use to bully me are now in jail, had many babies out of wedlock from different men, etc...they are not people to look up to. People like this also usually do not have a lot of self esteem themselves. They have to pick on others to make themselves feel better. Usually they come from broken homes, or unhappy homes. Don't let them fool you.

Your parents are right about it happening everywhere...public, private. It's a trend and it happens...to everyone. When you are out of school and an adult, you will look back at it and shake your head. It's hard to get through now, but when you are older, you'll see just how immature young people really are and hopefully laugh at the nowhere life these people have, and be proud of your accomplishments.

Jackie gave you great insight. She knows what she's talking about when it comes to homeschooling (and other things) so take what she said to heart:).

Good luck in your quest...and hang in there. School does end sometime...just keep your eye on the prize:).