How can I convince my parents to homeschool me?

Question

I really want to be homeschooled and I asked my parents if I can and they said no.I have no friends at my public school,everyone makes fun of me.I told them I am unhappy at school but they still make me go.How can I convince them to homeschool me?

Answer 1

I had the same problem when I was a kid. If you want to be homeschooled then you are going to have to convince your parents that it is the best option for you.

Show that you can learn on your own. Set out to learn something that is not being covered at school, write a report about it and give it to your parents.

You should also find some group activities to get involved in which will replace the social interaction your parents seem to be worried about.

Also, show them the facts about homeschooling.

http://www.hslda.org/docs/nche/000010/200410250.asp

http://www.hslda.org/research/ray2003/Socialization.asp

Answer 2

First of all, homeschooling is not for everyone. Some parents just can't do it, some kids just can't do it. Don't try to pressure your parents if they have looked into it and do not feel equipped or confident in their ability to homeschool you. Secondly, don't worry about the social aspect of homeschooling. Could it be any worse than what you are experiencing now? Most areas have large groups of homeschool families that get together for co-ops (having different parents teach classes of students one day a week, like a "normal" school), drama productions, field trips, park days and much more. Unless one lives in a very rural area, you will probably end up being better "socialized" than most kids. Also, the homeschooled kids I have met mingle well with people of all ages. They will include younger kids in their play, have no fear of approaching older kids, and hold conversations with adults that are way more mature than the current social expectation. Lastly, if your parents are not sold on homeschooling because they fear they would not be able to handle it or do not have the time to commit, you could look into an online homeschooling program (also called "laptop homeschooling") or a correspondence program. There are many to choose from, based on your religious affiliation or interests. Both of these methods require minimal parental involvement, especially for a motivated student.

Answer 3

You didn't say how old you are and that may play a big part. My answer assumes you are in at least junior or senior high school.
Find out exactly what their objections are. There are a couple of computer based homeschool programs that are not that expensive and once they are set up, your parents don't really have to "teach," they just might need to grade written elements that a computer can't really grade like book reports and essays. Maybe they have heard bad press about homeschooling. A great website is:
http://www.nheri.org/
They compile statistics of everything concerning homeschooling.
If, after learning what their objections are you can tailor your research about homeschooling and CALMLY present your findings to your parents. The biggest mistake kids make in presenting arguments to their parents is getting overly emotional about an issue. Let them see your convictions, not your emotions. If all else fails regarding homeschooling, many places are now offering "alternative" public schools where you only go in part time (usually a totally different building) and do most of your work at home. You could call your school district's administrative office and ask if they offer anything like that.
I'm in the opposite boat; I've homeschooled all my kids since kindergarten and it took a lot of convincing to allow my oldest two to go to public school this year. One is doing well and the other is coming back to homeschool next week. Each student is different and has to be treated uniquely. You or your parents may e-mail me privately if you wish.

Answer 4

Since your parents don't want to home school you I would suggest going to a technical collage to get your high school diploma. I have a friend who had depression and drug problems. He went to rehab and when he came back he went to a technical collage. A lot of his problems were solved by doing that. When you're in high-school you're surrounded by a lot of immature people who will say or do mean things just to make themselves look or feel better. The "socialization" that occurs in public schools is completely different from the real world. If you really can't get into any different kind of school then just wait it out like the other 90% of kids who hated school. It might seems hard but just try and see the light at the end of the tunnel

Answer 5

Get a copy of "The Teenage Liberation Handbook: How To Quit School and Get A Real Life and Education" by Grace Llewellyn

It's a fantastic book that addresses aproaching your parents about homeschooling.

http://www.lowryhousepublishers.com/TeenageLiberationHandbook.htm

Answer 6

Talk to a school counselor about your unhappiness at being ridiculed. Ask him or her to talk with you parents about the possibility of homeschooling - or it may be that the counselor can help you fit in at your public school.

Be aware, however, that homeschooling takes a lot of the parents' time and energy. A parent who works full-time or nearly full-time could not do this.

Another option is a private school.

Answer 7

YOU CAN'T
Believe it or not, most kids feel like you do at some time or another. What you have done is 'given up on yourself'. Try new things. try differents things. Learn to laugh at your self, quit taking your self so seriously
This homeschooling is a pipedream, you are really saying you want to drop out of school and your parents see right through you
Am I wrong?
Go out and prove it
How?
Read a Biography on Richard Feynmann and tell me why he won a Noble Prize

Answer 8

Maybe its a finacial reason, if you really want to be considered you could start getting your homework from your teachers early showing your parents that you can manage your school time with out a teacher montiering your every move another thing would be for you to keep at telling them how miserable you are and say you are scared of some of the kids there.

Answer 9

The best way would probably to convince them that you're serious about actually learning at home. A lot of kids home school just so they can sleep in you need to show your parents that you will be on top of your studies by yourself and that you won't need a lot of encouragement. So you need to show them that you can be self disciplined get yourself up on time, do your chores without having to have any one nag you get your homework in on time. (and do a good job) also you might want to start looking into what kind of curriculum that you want

Answer 10

Check out some videos on the advantages of home schooling from the library. Tell your parents it's a new day and you shouldn't have to do something just because they did. Also, find some other kids on line that are home schooled. If any live in your town, have them or their parents talk to your parents.