Help! I can't convince my mom?

Question

I have been homeschooled all my life, and I recently started going to high school. I love it, the social atmosphere, everything. But my mom doesn't like it because she's worried "I'm not learning anything" and is going to take me out after the 1st semester! I can't go back to homeschooling, I just can't, not after I see what regular schooling is like! I'd kill myself if I had to go back!!! Please!

It's not that she's not thinking I'm not getting good grades, she's seen my A's abd B's. She thinks I'm too smart for them and she's the only teacher qualified to teach me.

Answer 1

No dont kill yourself. Tell your mom that you are doing well. I know it is hard to convince her this, but show her good grades.

Answer 2

I'm a mom who has homeschooled my four kids since K and allowed my 15 and 14 year olds to go to an "alternative" public school which uses a virtual/computer curriculum this year. The 15 yo also takes two electives at the "real" high school. As long as he keeps up his grades and doesn't run into trouble with all the nasty peer pressure, I will allow him to go to "real" high school full time next year. My 14 yo decided it's just not for her and I'm bringing her back home before the semester is out. Maybe your mom feels like you aren't being challenged enough and she could direct your studies in a more productive manner. As hard as it is for some people to comprehend (*COUGH*) school is NOT about social atmosphere, that is just a "perk" IF you choose your friends wisely. School is about learning and stretching those brain cells. Apparently your mom isn't convinced yet that you are learning any better there than at home, and perhaps it is a bit of a control issue, but others already gave suggestions on that. Anyway, you need to understand that your parents have the final authority one way or the other and you need to honor their desicion. Saying you are going to kill yourself is not displaying a great deal of maturity. Maybe she is testing you by saying that; your response isn't encouraging. PROVE to her that you are learning, and learning things that would be difficult to grasp without the classrom setting. Remind her how much less work she has to do in the form of buying curriculum, planning lessons and teaching. Try out for a sport or join an extracurricular activity; the more connected you are to the school in a positive manner will help her choose in your favor. Show her through your actions (not your blah, blah, blah) that she has taught you well and that you can make good decisions on your own. Don't lose heart; school is such a short term thing in the grand scheme of life - where you do it really isn't the big issue. The big issue is - are you going to want to continue learning new things and expanding your horizons even after graduation? Public school has a way of zapping that desire out of kids. You or your mom are welcome to e-mail me if you would like.

Answer 3

She's the only teacher qualified to teach you? Does she have degrees in biology, chemistry, and physics? Then she's not qualified to teach you science - at least anywhere near as qualified as your high school teachers. How about higher math? Calculus?

I've got an idea. Ask your teachers to give you a sample final exam for the courses you're taking - or better yet, an IB or AP sample exam. Ask your mom if she can answer every question on there, or have her take it and get it scored. That might convince her that you need real teachers.

Answer 4

I have been homeschooled my whole life and can definitely relate... I'm not going to say over what everyone already said (all of it very good advice) but no matter what happens, whether you get taken out or not, you have to accept or else you will waste great years of your life. I beat myself up about this all time-- learning to find opportunities no matter where you are. Good luck, I hope you can stay in school.

Answer 5

Since she allowed you to go to regular hs in the first place, then you should try to convince her that this first decision was not only right, but the best decision she made. Thank her for the chance to go to hs and tell her you like it very much, and do not want to go back to homeschooling, as the public schools are so much better for you. Tell her that, sincerely. Maybe then she will listen.

But I doubt it. But it is about your only hope.

Answer 6

Give your mother a comprehensive rundown on all the things you're learning in your new school. (If you need to do it every day, by all means.)

Also, explain to her that by being in a high school you are gaining new lessons and experiences (i.e. meeting new people, honing your social skills, gaining classroom experience that you will need for college, etc.) that you would not be able to experience were you to be home-schooled your entire life. Ask her if she would rather you not have experiences like these when you go to college, so that you're a totally awkward kid that doesn't know how to win an argument or be able to expose yourself to people from different kinds of backgrounds.

Finally, tell her that you feel that you are capable of making your own decisions, and that you believe this is what is best for you.

Obviously, all of this should be presented in a way that will best be able to win your mother's approval. Only you know your mother, so you are the one who is going to decide how to present it.

Good luck!

Answer 7

Sounds like your mother can't cut the apron strings
Disagreeing with parents is a painful part of growing up
Remind her she raised you to become a man not a boy, and men need to face other men in a world constructed on their terms, not hers. The Creator did bless you with talents to be hidden away.
I love the idea of your mom taking the same tests as you
Good Luck

Answer 8

I know a girl who is in a similar situation; this is her first year of public school.

The best thing to do is show her the pros and advantages of public school over homeschool, example--the teachers have a more broad and detailed experience and education in what they are teaching then your mom does, so you learn more.

Also, bring home written and oral proof that you are learning, and invite some decent friends over so she won't worry about you getting in the wrong crowd.

Come home everyday and say stuff like "Did you know...?" and say something interesting that she didn't know. She will see that you are learning.

Answer 9

Be as mature as you can about this: no fits, no pouting, no arguing.

Ask her to at least finish out the year and to talk with your teachers. Ask her what more she would like you to learn. Discuss the possibility of you doing more on the side instead of being pulled out of school. This, too, could be discussed with the teachers and you could possibly get extra credit.

If it's not possible to really discuss this with her, write her a letter explaining your side of things, asking her what you would have to do to be able to stay in school.

Answer 10

ya well u probably aren't going to learn any thing in the long run. I for get all the stuff i learned over summer.

steve has a great answer... Very smart alec public school-y. Espically the forign language and science... N1c3

Answer 11

Sorry, but sounds like mom doesn't want to give up that control over you.

I don't think it's what you are learning in public school. I think it's a matter of her not being the one who controls what you learn.

Mom has issues. Try to let her know she is still important in your education, and that you just want to expand your exposure to different methods and approaches.