How should I approach my parents to tell them I would like to be homeschooled?

Question

We've talked about it many times before, but I never ended up going through with it. The thing is, if I'm going to do it, I need to act soon because 2nd semester starts mid January. I'm sure my mom wouldn't mind I just need to figure out how to re-open the topic and make her realize that I'm serious this time, I really want to go through with it, and will.

Answer 1

Just tell them what you've told us. Tell them that although you've talked about it many times, you're really serious this time. Tell them that you even posted a question for advice on how to approach them.

Maybe make room for two or more conversations about it. If your parents don't take you seriously, bring it up again later. Continue to tell them that you've really been thinking a lot about it and that this is truly what you want to do now.

Let them know you're serious. Be polite and respectful, but be persistent.

Answer 2

As a mom, I'd have to say that I would be very impressed if my child sat me down and started by saying this:

"I've been thinking a lot about my educational alternatives and my future. I've also been doing a lot of research." (Clunking down some books and magazines.)

Then, going from there. That would show me that my child was indeed serious, and it wasn't just a last minute decision. And that my child is ready to answer my questions. Here are the questions I'd ask:

Why do you want to homeschool?
What is your current school situation not providing for you?
How can homeschooling offer that to you?
Have you looked into any other alternatives?
What are your goals - educational and life?
What are the various ways that you can homeschool?
Are you going to work too? Volunteer? What are you going to do besides sit at home all day?
What are your college plans? If you want to go to college, how will you get there using the non-traditional path of homeschooling?
How do you hope that I (speaking as the parent) would be involved in this?

I would recommend reading "The Teenage Liberation Handbook" and asking your parents to read it too.

Also, homeschooling is not something to jump into on a whim. You need to know that it's seriously what you want to do. It will change the entire landscape of your high school education. It will not just change how you gain knowledge, but it will change your daily rhythms, the expectations and reactions of the people around you, and your future educational options. If you make the switch, make sure you know what you're getting into.

And if you know what you are getting into, and that sounds appealing to you, then you know it's the right choice.

Good luck talking to your parents!

Answer 3

The best way - blurt it out!
Don’t think about or spend hours trying to figure out the “right” thing to say. Your not giving a speech your are having a discussion! You can’t possibly come up with every single comeback that your mom will come up with. Stop stalling and just DO IT!
This advice is good for any of those “Big Issue” discussions. Just open your mouth and say it. That will get the dialogue started.

I had to add more here because of the other answers I’m reading. Look, I don’t care if I win “best answer” or get a bunch of thumbs ups or downs but I would like you to take my advice. I am a parent. I don’t mean to point any fingers but it’s obvious to me that many of these answers are given out by other kids.

If you want to be treated like an adult you have to act like one. That means you keep an open dialogue with the other adults in the house ALL the time! Of course you should be polite but you should be that way every day NOT just when you want something. It also means that you respect their decisions even when they go against what you want! One of the contributors suggested that you “be persistent” - that’s what KIDS always do to get what they want. An adult realizes that sometimes decisions don’t go their way they accept it and move on. You need to understand that home schooling will greatly impact you mother’s life too.

Please talk to your mom about everything. Keep her up to date on all aspects of your life. Big talks like this one won’t seem so big if you do. And if you really want to be mature about this, respect her decision no matter what it is.

Answer 4

i think you should research and figure out why you want to do it (may be eaiser or better for you) and sit down and tell her that you have researched and thought it out well and you are serious this is what you want to do.
I am homeschooled and i am a grade ahead now, if i were still in regular school i would not be a year ahead.
(my opinion: it works out great for some people but you have to make sure this is what you really want)

hope everything works out for you

Answer 5

How about leaving a little note in the kitchen or something, saying that you'd like to talk more seriously about homeschooling when they can sit down and talk with you? That way you've brought it up and they can actually get the conversation going.

Answer 6

I would sit down and think before you go and talk to them. Think of the reasons you want to be home taught at home. Then play out in your head the scenario of you approaching your parents and how they would respond.

I would be direct with your words telling them what you want.

I think it is very important for you to be prepared and be able to answer any questions and defend the point that you really WANT to do it.

Answer 7

do your research. find out what it takes to homeschool and present them with the info while you talk to them in a mature way. maybe have them sit down together so you have their full attention and they realize you are serious. good luck

Answer 8

just tell them the reasons in a polite manner. sit down and talk about it. don't get angry if they don't agree the first few times. they should give in if you persist. good luck!1

Answer 9

just ask tell... them what you think