My parents expect me???

Question

I live in the city and wish to get the h**l out of here....I am a country girl that has lived in the city all my life. I plan on moving to somewere in Arkansas after high school graduation.

My parents are HS graduats....I have a sister that is really smart and gets straight A's and wants to go to college and be a nurse....Well my parents expect me to do the same...I don't want that for myself...I want to be in rodeo's and travel across the states and make money doing something I love.....like I said my parents are HS graduates and expect me and my sister to do better.....they want me to go to college and basically live there dream...I dont want that they are living my life for me but I don't know how to tell them...I dont know how they would take it...I don't want them to waste there money sending me to college for something I dont want to do...I'd rather have them spend there money on something I do wat to do....my cousins own horses and stuff in Arkansas..I felt like that was were I belonged...It was nice I went with my grandparents and my sister my parents weren't there and It was nice.....I want that in my life..I know how to ride and kinda can do barrel racing but I want it to be my life. Can anybody help me tell my parents thats what I want without them lauging in my face?

Answer 1

Go to college. And get a degree in something that you CAN love that you could use as back up if the rodeo doesn't work. Try agriculture or vet/med or something to do with farming.

Answer 2

It's your life, so you decide, and many times people your age (I'm assuming you're getting close to college age? not sure--) don't know exactly what they want to do and feel it would be a waste to attend college when you don't feel it's where you should be at at the time. But let me tell you that rodeo is a real tough sport, and a tough one to make a living at doing. And being that you mentioned you "kinda" can barrel race is worrisome to me...maybe you should take some time and look up the different horse careers that are available. I'm very much a country girl and knew I wanted to do something with horses, and I attended an agricultural college (there were cow barns, sheep barns, and a huge equine facility right on campus) and majored in Equine Industries Mgmt. So you really can have the best of both worlds...live in the country and make money with horses through an Equine Career. And if it's rodeo you like, agricultural schools like the one I attended often have a rodeo club (I was in mine). There you can learn all kinds of things like barrel racing, team roping, team penning, etc. from instructors and peers, and compete in rodeo against other schools. Again, the best of both worlds.

I hope that this was helpful. Just take the time to look into your options and I'm sure you'll find what suits you. Good luck!

Answer 3

Your parents are only thinking of what is best for you. I think you should consider going to college and studying something you want to (doesn't have to be nursing). You really don't know yet what you want to do trust me, I recommend going to a 4 year college that is very inexpensive and is close to home or how about going to a college in Arkansas? You need a back up plan in case you become 40 and realize you can't continue doing what you're doing due to some health issues and you have no retirement plan.  You can live in a small country town while going to college. It's 4 years of your life and you can plan where you go. You need a back up plan.

Also your sister isn't 'smart' she spends time focusing in class and probably does all of her assignments and studies.

Your parents dont want you to live their dream they want you to go to college to have a STABLE future unlike them.

Answer 4

I think that you should get a job around horses after school, and raise money and save it for what you want to do. That way, it's your money and your parents can't interfere. Just tell them that you're not going to do what they want you to do. It's your life. Take control. Don't let anyone tell you what to do. When you are old enough, you can move out of the house, somewhere far away from your parents, and get a couple of barrel racing horses. Then barrel race like your life depends on it, (because it really does) and don't keep in touch with your parents. If they contact you, just tell them that you are fine and have a really good job and you are earning money, just beat around the bush and don't tell them that you are barrel racing until you have established a good house, barn, pastures, and somewhere to practice. Good luck!

Answer 5

If something is your dream your parents should laugh in your face, they might try to change your mind if it is something they don't agree with, but truly they should respect your goals and ideals.

Also think about it this way- do you really care if they approve if that is what you love to do more than anything? Just do what you love.

I would like to say, and I'm not taking anyones 'side', but college might be something to look into, at least a two year degree. A lot of colleges around me here in CA and I bet out there in the Midwest even have rodeo teams. That might be a good start since they can help you train and learn to ride.

Try this website to find a horse school near where you want to go: http://www.horseschools.com/rankings.asp

Another idea would be to take some lessons if you aren't already, owning a horse is a huge responsibility and it might be a lot to handle if you weren't ready or if you didn't have your parents support. You can talk to your parents about leasing a horse that knows barrels and rodeo and that way you can see if you really like it and are good at it.

Parents just want the best for their kids, I know mine do, and they sometimes have funny ways of showing it but deep down they do just want you to be happy. Be honest with them, ask them one night to sit down and talk with you. Just tell them about your goals and dreams, and don't except them to jump up and down and be thrilled if they want you to go to college and you aren't, expect them to try to change your mind, but just tell them this is what you want to do, and you wanted to let them know.

Good luck!

Answer 6

LOL, just tel them, once they realise you wont do any good in college because you dont want to go, they will re-think.

Parents are like that, they are control freeks and think you have to do something because they said so but if you are sturn about not wanting to go and live your dream in the country, you go girl!! just dont get a load of pink stuff for your horse! it looks silly and like you are from the town come to live ion the country, you need to be green and brown, red and navy those sort of colours!

Good luck.

Answer 7

  I still catch h**l from my mother for having horses.  I've been around them for 25 years and have never been willing to be without them, and she is just now understanding that I can't live without the horses in my life.  I'm still going to college to finish a bachelor's in criminal justice, but I have my horses too.  You can do both.  There are colleges that have rodeo teams, or equestrian studies, there's no reason for you not to consider those things.  

  My parents are both only high school grads too, but of me and my two siblings I'm the only one with a college degree.  It may be frustrating for you, but eventually they will come to see what it is you really want.

Answer 8

most horse lovers struggle with this in their youth!  And they end up with a pretty strong dividing line - those who work with horses for a living, those who forget about horses, and those who get jobs that allow them to own horses and enjoy them!

IMO the safest bet is the third option.  I've had many friends make plans to be trainers or competitors and the happiest are those who have ended up working with something that interests them that provides a healthy salary that will allow them to enjoy their expensive "hobby" (horses).

I respect that a city college degree is not in your interests, however you should consider that there are many other jobs that allow you to work out in wide open spaces and enjoy the life you want.  There are also people who make their living off horse events, but it's kind of like being a profession at any "hobby" - some make it and some don't.  some are at the top of the world and some ares till starving artists by the time they retire.  

You should maybe look for something more in the middle, or if you're set on working with rodeos you should really look into being a farrier.  A good farrier can make good money, whereas competitors, trainers, and grooms have very questionable incomes!

And don't forget, arkansas has colleges too!  And many schools offer horse degree programs, just do some research!

Answer 9

Tell them that its your life and you don't want them pressurizing you into doing something you don't want to. Be kind because I know how hard it is letting parents down easy, but you have to do what's right for you. Try and make them understand how you feel more at home in the country than the city and if they laugh then let them. It's your dream and if you have a chance to live it I say go for it!

Alternatively you could go to a school that teaches and/or competes in rodeo and Western show events...

These are some that I've heard of and they're all throughout

America.

rodeo academys/ specialist schools:

www.sankeyrodeo.com

www.rodeoacademy.com

www.barrelracers.com

www.ropro.com

www.cwtraining.com

www.equestrian-intenational.com

www.mnhorsetrainingacademy.com

colleges:

www.frc.edu

www.lassen.cc.ca.us

www.lamarcc.edu

www.njc.edu

www.bhc.edu

www.iavalley.cc.ia.us/ecc

www.dc3.edu

www.dawson.cc.mt.us

http://ncta.unl.edu

www.meslands.edu

www.tvcc.cc.or.us

www.clarendoncollege.edu

www.fpctx.edu

www.wc.edu

www.caspercollege.edu

www.cwc.edu

www.lccc.wy.edu

www.northwestcollege.edu

universitys:

www.calpoly.edu

www.csupomona.edu

www.csufresno.edu or www.fresnoestatehorses.com

www.uga.edu

www.bhc.edu

www.siu.edu

www.perdue.edu

www.iastate.edu

www.ksu.edu

www.murraystate.edu

www.lsu.edu

www..msu.edu

www.mnhorsetrainingacademy.com

www.missouristate.com

www.unr.edu

www.nmsu.edu

www.alfred.edu

www.dickensonstate.com

www.oregonstate.edu

www.clemson.edu

www.sdstate.edu

www.utm.edu

www.sulross.edu

www.tamu.edu

www.ttu.edu

www.wtamu.edu

www.salemiu.edu

www.uwrf.edu

Hope this helps :)

Answer 10

I say at least go to your first 4 years and get a degree, that way if traveling around the country and doing things you love doesn't work out then you have gone to college and you can get a decent job. You can always go to college in Arkansas and visit your cousins and ride there horses on the weekend.:) Tell your parents what you want to do. They will not laugh ion our face! Maybe become angry, but you have to understand, they just want you to have it better off then they did because they did not go to college.  

Answer 11

just tell them how you feel tell them that you want to live your own dream not their dream

dont let them make you do something that you dont want to do.

i feel the same way you except a little different story. my mom knows i can get straight As so now she expects it of me and I hate it. she doesnt know how hard it is.

I want a horse and i wnat to barrel race but my mom and dad keep trying to push me to do other sports that i dont want to do like tennis and diving and c**p like that. My dad told me the other day that he talked to my mom and that they decided that i was going to do golf and i said no and he said yes you are we already decided but i dont care what he said i hate golf and i am not going to do it just cause he likes it doesnt mean i do and he also wants me to do track cause he likes it and was really good at it in hos younger days he even went to the junior olympics in like 5th grade for it.

My mom told me i need to find a sport to do and in my mind i already found my sport and they dont care i want to barrel race they just dont understand and my mom said well you need to find a sport that is cheaper and i dont want to the only other sport that i know is gymnastics and there is no way i can go back to that again.

dont let your parents take over do what you want to do not what they want you to do tell them just cause its your dream and jennifeir's dream doesnt mean it is mine too.

My mom keeps acting like i can get a horse and she looks at all the ones i find and tells me what one she likes and stuff and tells me to get videos of the horse and stuff and then when it is time to go see/ride them she says that i have not earned it and i dont even take care of the stuff i am supposed to take care of so why should i get you a horse and stuff like that. If she isnt goingt o get me one she may as well just tell me insted of getting my hopes up and dragging them back down. my dad doesnt even care he thinks its all jsust a joke he thinks i will never get a hrose in my entire life

Answer 12

I would just tell them straight up that you dont want to be trapped in an  office all your life. You want to be able to do what you love and have fun doing it, not live their dream that they missed out on. But, before you go and skip out on college completely....Did you know that you can go to some community colleges and they have classes on how to become a horse trainer. I would look into that if I were you because A) you are going to college for your parents' sake and B) You get to do what you love and get a degree to go along with it! It is a win win situation. I know exactly how you feel. We live in the stupid suburbs where every house is the same and everybody has the same stupid manicured lawn. Alas! I long for the country as much as you do.