Should we take her seriously?

Question

I'm 15 and homeschooled. I have a normal life I go out with friends and everything else, But this one women who I knew all my life is threating to call the social services cause she thinks I dont get out enough but thats totally not true and she thinks this just because I dont spend a lot of time with her son anymore that I dont get out at all. Should we take her threat seriously or is she just trying to scare us?

Answer 1

OK, Social Services really don't go chasing after people who "don't get out enough." If you are being abused by someone in your family - more likely. But they will not be able to tell you what to do with your life. If you are home schooled then you have every right to be in your home!
She doesn't have a leg to stand on in this situation. She can go ahead and call Social Services but they will not and cannot act on this threat of hers.

Answer 2

Well if your parents know of what that woman is doing, then they need to file a threat report with the police, if she is getting really bad. It will be on record and the social services will be able to establish a history of this woman's word against your parents. Your parents would know your social life more so that anyone else. If the social services do come over you might want to make more friends, walk your local mall or park and make friends out there, just so they will be able to have proof that you are getting out. And if social services do end up at your home, you can be able to tell them your side of the story, as well as your parents, which will will be on the report and future history of you and your family. Since social services MUST investigate all reports, so if that woman does report you, you will be ready. I think she is just trying to hold on to you for the sake of her son, by scaring you and your family. If there is something wrong in her family, you need to tell your parents in the case of her needing to be reported. I am just suggesting this since I am not an expert and do not know all the facts. You and your family can go to social services straight out and ask them what you should do. I pray that God will help you and your family, be blessed!

Answer 3

Maybe you should explain the situation to her. That you are a normal happy kid and that you have a good social life. Don't bring up her son though. Who knows what sticky conversation that can lead to. If she brings it up, then tell her that you spend a lot of time with other people and that you and her son don't share common interests anymore and so quit hanging out. If she still doesn't believe you then tell her to go ahead and see what social services thinks of your side of the story. She has no right to put her nose in your business, or your family's. It's your decision who to hang with, and if her son isn't who you want to hang with, that's not your problem. Either way, it sounds like you should explain the situation to her, and possibly them. But they probably won't do anything about it.

Answer 4

a different perspective on hslda:
homeschoolingislegal.info/
there are those who are quite unhappy with their track record.

are some of your activies classes, or clubs, things that would be documented?
I'd take the threat seriously, too.
I know of someone who had to deal with CPS, and their judgements can be highly subjective...one social worker will deem it unacceptable, for example, for a 12 year old boy to be home alone for a few hours and cooking his own meals, another will say it's just fine.
Lay the groundword for your defense now by asking friends parents about their willingness to corroborate your social activity, if you don't have the kind of documentation listed above.
CPS might laugh this woman off, or she might get a hold of someone with a burr under their saddle about the whole concept of home school. Better safe than sorry.

Answer 5

I would say take the threat seriously. There are crazy people out there. I would be sure your home class room has things organized and you have some kind of record of your work. Also I would keep a journal of your social activities. Then if social services is called you would be able to negate what ever she has said. You might also consider contacting the HSLDA for more advice.

I had family members saythings like this to me when we first decided to homeschool. There are people who just don't get it and there are people who have their own issues to deal with. I would say protect yourself, just in case.

Answer 6

I would take it seriously. I don't know that social services would actually interfere. It probably depends on where you live. However, there are some horror stories out there of kids being taken from homeschooling families for absolutely ridiculous reasons.

I say log all of your social activities, say on a calendar just for that purpose or something. At least you'll have some documentation of some sort to back you up in case something does happen.

Answer 7

IMHO I would take this seriously. This woman seems to not have all her marbles, she seems a little crazy. You never know if she will lie/file a false report. This seems a little extreme that a woman would call SS because you're not hanging out with her son. Tell your parents NOW! They need to report a threat to either SS, and/or the Police Department. This is something that you need to tell your parents. People will lie to get their way, or "win" in their mind. You don't know how this woman's brain is working. Tell your mother and/or your father.

PS. She seems crazy like I stated before. I would stop all contact with her. If she makes a comment like this again, keep reporting her. Don't tell her that your going to call someone/contact someone either. Just do it!

Answer 8

I can not tell you weather to take her seriously or not, but I can tell you not to worry too much. If she calls, social services will ask you and investigate as they know some people exagerate things. Since you are 15, they will probably believe you. I do think that if her allegations ARE true, you should tell the truth, but I would not worry too much as they are invastigated throughly.

Answer 9

Social services won't care. She can call but I doubt if social services will do anything just because you are home schooled and don't live up to some crazed ladies social standards.

Answer 10

I'm homeschooled too. Anyway, I think I know why you don't hang out with her son much. Don't worry, if you can prove that you're happy how you are, you're fine. Also, I doubt they'll taker her seriously. What a pleasant lady.