How can I convince my parents to let me be home schooled?

Question

Well, their answer depends on some things:

How old are you? 14

Do your parents work? yes, my mom works part time, my dad works full time

Would you be able to learn by yourself? I'm gifted so I would say yes

I suggest saying something like, "Mom, dad... I'm not enjoying school. . . Will you think about homeschooling me?"

I did but she is worried about socialization and I am having trouble getting her to think that I am perfectly socialized already.. but I want to at least TRY it! And I dont feel she is giving it a fair chance

I home-school, it's fun and you learn way more than kids in school. =)

>>>>>>>Yeah, my whole real "goal" from home schooling is to graduate early ... And also I have pacing issues at school sometimes I'm much too fast and sometimes I need a little help to get something "implanted" in my brain

Plus, you can e-mail or phone the teachers if you need any assistance.

>>>>You can?

Answer 1

If socialization is her biggest concern, you are in luck! It is the most common concern about homeschooling and thus, the most easily debunked.

First, homeschooling gives you much more time in your day because it is much more efficient. So, instead of having to fit social activities in between homework and school (where you sit in classes all day and are not allowed to talk to friends during classes), you have much more flexibility to see friends (after *they* are done with school, but without having to worry about homework *you* have to do. You could even hang out with one kid after school and another in the evening without running into issues of getting work done or needing to be home early so you can get up at the crack of dawn).

What extra-curriculars are you interested in? Talk about how homeschooling will give you more time to participate in these, which are much more social than school. (One caveat: if your extra-curriculars are associated with the school and the school doesn't let non-students participate, you will have to do legwork to find alternatives. Do that *before* you try to talk to her.)

Find out about homeschooling support groups in your area and see what activities they have available.

Talk to her about getting the chance to spend time with people of all ages: learning about history from an elderly neighbor, taking a class at the local community college, etc. If she worries that you won't be spending time with people "your own age," ask her how old *her* friends and colleagues are. Point out that you will still have your current friends and you want to continue to spend time with them...you just don't want to do it in school.

Search this forum for other answers. As I said, socialization is a frequent concern, so that concern has been answered ad nauseum. Many answers have links to sites with still more information. Read it and be prepared before you talk to your mom. The more prepared you are, the more she will be relieved.

One note of caution: Socialization might not be her only concern. It might not even be her main concern, just the one she mentioned first. Have the websites handy and be ready to pull up information as quickly as possible when she expresses a concern. The more knowlege you have available, the more likely she will get comfortable with the idea.

Answer 2

You can contact teachers IF YOU DO ONLINE SCHOOL. If you're gifted, the only online school I personally would suggest you try is EPGY. It's an educational program for gifted youth, can be used for homeschooling, and is offered by Stanford University (check their website, or google it). It's a highly accellerated program and very challenging, and I believe you can graduate highschool with some sort of degree.

Otherwise, I'd just do traditional homeschooling. You can be flexible and arrange it so that when you need help in a subject, you do that subject when a parent is home, and just work independently whe they're not. That's what I do, and I was labled gifted in public school as well.

You should explain to your mother that because you wont have the distractions of school and can go at your own pace, you'll likely finish the equivelent of a public school day (or more) in half the time (or less). This will leave you with lots of time for extracurricular activities in your community (check out your county's Parks and Recreation Website, Public Library, and if the public schools are required to allow homeschoolers to participate in their activities... A lot are.) and to just spend time with friends from public school or in the neighborhood. Also find out if your area has a homeschool co-op or support group where you can meet others who homeschool for a variety of reasons and in many different ways, take group classes with other homeschoolers, go on feild trips, join clubs, possibly play on a homeschool sports team, attend holiday parties and dances, possibly prom and a graduation ceremony if you're into that and if the group has one, etc. Your mom can also get in touch with other homeschooling parents who can offer suggestions, tips, resources, advice, and general friendship and support. Homeschoolers come from all walks of life, and there are so many methods and styles of doing it that it's extremely rare that you'll find two homechool families that do things exactly the same way. It varries from home to home and from student to student. Some even offer "beginner" meetings where people who are considering homeschooling can go and ask questions and hear from people who have been doing it for years. Good luck!

Answer 3

Here are some statistics you can share with your parents:

http://www.successful-homeschooling.com/...

Here's some other info:

http://www.successful-homeschooling.com/...

I would present the information and ask them to give you a trial period.  Good luck!

Answer 4

Isn't 13 legal to be home alone?  Isn't that why we cannot deduct child care after the age of 13?

Show your parents the k12 website.  It is great for gifted kids and is the only way you will be challenged instead of doing extra busy work at school.

Answer 5

i am in my late teens  and i was homeschooled in 3rd grade  then went back to public but i have been in homeschooling again since 8th grade and i love it and i do a distance learning program and i do the program almost all by myself  but with some help from older friends and my family  and if your parents are worried about it tell them how you feel and explain to them why you want to be homeschooled instead of public school and if its about association i go on trips with friends who are also homeschooled sometimes we go to the park and play games (physicle ed) and go to museaums .

hope this helps

Answer 6

Well, their answer depends on some things:

How old are you?

Do your parents work?

Would you be able to learn by yourself?

If both of your parents work, and you're not old enough to stay at home and learn on your own, they probably wouldn't allow it. If you are old enough to work on your own without your parents around, they may say yes. =)

I suggest saying something like, "Mom, dad... I'm not enjoying school. I don't feel like I'm learning anything, and the learning environment isn't very good. I think that if I homeschool, I'll be able to learn more, and I'll be happier. Will you think about homeschooling me?"

I home-school, it's fun and you learn way more than kids in school. =)

Plus, you can e-mail or phone the teachers if you need any assistance.

Good luck, and happy learning!

My reply to your extra details:

I did but she is worried about socialization and I am having trouble getting her to think that I am perfectly socialized already.. but I want to at least TRY it! And I dont feel she is giving it a fair chance

-x-

As long as you have a few close friends, that's all you need! :)

Maybe homeschooling will also give you more time for joining clubs, or taking something like art classes, to meet new people.

It's totally worth a try. And if you find out that homeschooling isn't really your thing, there's nothing saying you can't go back to public school. =)

Yeah, my whole real "goal" from home schooling is to graduate early ... And also I have pacing issues at school sometimes I'm much too fast and sometimes I need a little help to get something "implanted" in my brain

-x-

That's a great goal! When you homeschool you can take the time to go over the material again and again until you understand. But of course there's a due date for the work... but they'll give you the extra time if you need it.

For e-mailing or phoning the teacher, it depends on the school you homeschool through. I know that you can definitely phone for help, but I think only some schools have an e-mail system.

Answer 7

Don't do it....

I hate it....

=)

Answer 8

I feel your parents are like lots of parents.  They believe that government controlled schooling is the only feasible education option.  I would love to challenge your parents to think about YOU as a clever gifted little individual.  Homeschooling gives a much more individual education for all children and young people.  Your curriculum can be designed with your interests and goals in mind and you can pace yourself the perfect way for you.  I homeschool my 6 children and couldn't imagine it any other way.  Show your parents these answers maybe it will help a little bit. GOOD LUCK

Answer 9

I think your parents are like most parents that choose not to homeschool and sent their kids to Public schools even though it is less than acceptable and that they have allowed the society and government to brainwash them into thinking it is the only choice.

They are afraid to try and step outside the box. They have no idea that Yes you can work and still homeschool. Homeschooling doesn't have to be done during the day. it can be done at nights and on the weekends. It takes less time to homeschool than it would to go to school. You figure time is taken up by the tacking and droning on of Teacher's, questions during class time, time to walk between classes, breaks, lunch, time on the bus, time to get to and from school, extras after school activities, and the list goes on.

I suggest you do your research and get all the positives to homeschooling together and present it on paper side by side with public schooling so they can see that clearly homeschooling is a better choice.

They need to allow you to take this chance and try it. Let them know if it doesn't work you would be willing to do the other. Do extra things around the house while they are gone at work to prove that you can do this and they would benefit from it too.

Answer 10

tell them it would be a better learning place

Answer 11

get on the bus and go to school...

Answer 12

LEt them read these --  These are comments from teachers on why THEY don't like public schools --

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;...

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;...

Answer 13

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