I've never been homeschooled but I love the idea and I'm planning to start after my Christmas exams. School is on the brink of driving me crazy and there are so many things that I WANT to learn but in my present situation I have neither time nor energy to spend on those things. I made a whole plan with a curriculum of stuff to study and books to read. I really want to focus on English, American History, Social studies and politics. I think that when I'm 16 I'll get G.E.D. and then if I need to I can take a few classes at a community college. The only problem is that my parents are really against this. They think that homeschooling is something only kids who are way smarter then their peers can consider. I've tried explaining that with homeschooling I would be more enthuastic and willing to learn the subjects that interest me but they are in denial. So anyway, I was thinking that after I finish my exams I would simply quit school, deal with my parent's freak out for a few months and continue my own independant learning. I realize that this is a life-changing step but in the long run I think it will help me to attain my own personal objectives in life and not those that my parents envision. And besides, I would be paying for everything I need and I would be free to help out my parents with anything at home. My question is, will my decision improve my will to learn or will it just make things worse?
I really think that you need your parents support for this. Maybe that is just because I am a parent. I would not want my son just to up and register for school without my approval.
I would of course have given them plenty of warning. It's not like I'd be quitting school out of the blue. I was thinking of making a whole plan of what I'd learn and give it to them so they would at least see I have the self-discipline to do something constructive on my own. I agree on the bit about having parental support but I'm wondering if they won't just come around in the end once they see I CAN make it.
You need to win your parents to your side in this. I suggest giving them some reading to do, such as the teenage liberation handbook, any of John Holt's books, and some websites. If you do your research you can talk to them about this and they will see that you are motivated and have put in the time to learn about home education. That should go a long way toward convincing them that you will be motivated to learn on your own outside of school. Giving them a plan of study, and also being responsible with household stuff should help to impress on them your seriousness as well. Good luck to you!
i home schooled my youngest son when he was in high school, it turned out great. he was miserable in the high school he was going to in his sophmore year. he was getting c's and d's and was very depressed. he loved home school and took such an interest in his studies that he ended up getting straight A's and then in his senior year went back to a different high school and loved it. graduated with honors. i'm really proud of him and me with that decision to home school. good luck hippiewise angel
This sounds like very wise advice to me. It may not seem like it right now, but it would be far better to have the support of your parents in this endeavor. Show your folks the options that are available and convince them you are mature enough and responsible enough to manage your own learning. Good luck and never stop learning!
