What should I do to make this "homeschooling" thing workout between my and my mom?

Question

Well, I started home schooling this year... I decided it was better, because I just study better in a quiet place by myself... I usually get distracted real easily even when I hear a tapping noise or when people whisper about plans this coming weekend... So, now I ended up homeschooling at work with my mom... I work behind, but the customers constantly asking me questions and talking really loudly distracts me... (I don't blame the customers, since I am the one homeschooling in public.) But if I talk to my mom about it, she think's it's all an "excuse" and we got in a big argument...

Big argument about how I want to study at home and how she wants me to study at work. She wants me to help out at work and I totally understand, but I'm falling behind and I want to work on this at home for 2 days (monday and tuesday, when I get distracted easily). And she still disagrees, she thinks I want to stay home and hang out with my boyfriend!

Answer 1

Most homeschoolers find they can get their work finished in 3-4 hours of truly focused study.  Would it be possible for you to work at home during the times of day when your Mom isn't at work?  I mean, you could do a little at her work, some of the easier stuff that doesn't require too much focus, but concetrate on the other stuff while at home.

Otherwise, maybe you could go to the library for a few hours each day to concentrate, or sit in a back room at work and put a sign on the door saying, "Private- do not disturb."  Wear ear plugs.  Your mom is probably right about not leaving you alone all day, but you also should be able to have a little uninterupted study time.

EDIT .......  EDIT......EDIT......

Also, if you are not on the payroll it is a violation of labor laws for you to be working while there (the exception would be a family run business... I think).  I mean, you are not covered by L&I, so you shouldn't BE helping out.  You should answer customers with, "Oh, I'm sorry, I don't work here."  Maybe a bell could be put on the counter so customers could ring for service or something.

Answer 2

you need an isolated room or cubical away from everyone

Answer 3

How about you doing your homework in a back room, like a storage area.  Set up a desk in the bathroom if it is large enough (like at the movie theaters).  Mom, is not being unreasonable, she just knows that once the kids find out you are home alone, it becomes fair game to use your house like a hangout.  

The person above had a good idea also, see if you can study at least part time with a fiend of the family or relative.

Answer 4

Talk to her no yelling or arguing allowed. Explain to her where you are and where you should be. I like the grandparent or trusted friend thing but it can't be your friend it needs to be one of hers. Another thing you can do is try to do some work at home after the day at the store is done. I like the idea of keeping track of how much time you actually do school work verses helping costumers but that in its self can be time consuming if your getting up every few minutes to help someone. I understand your moms feeling about why you can't study at home alone. I would worry about the same things. Are you on a lap top? If so try finding a quiet spot in the break room or stock room if you have one.

Answer 5

Make up a schedule showing her where you are supposed to be at. Show her where you are at.

Keep a log of how much work you actually get done during the day. Be really specific: 10:10, started math. 10:15, helping customers; 10:35, continued math; 10:37, helped customers. Then actually figure out how much work you get done.

The proof will be there!

Of course, another option is to simply say to her that you are getting behind and ask her for help in coming up with ideas on getting back on track. Don't focus on the one solution you've come up with--be open to some other possibilities. You'd be surprised at what the two of you might be able to come up with. Maybe it'll be specific time set aside at the store where you are clearly unavailable and specific times set aside where you'll help out. Maybe it'll be some other idea.

Focus on the problem--not getting enough work done because there are too many distractions--and be open to a variety of solutions and you'll have a better chance at getting your work done.

Answer 6

Head phones, MP3 player and a white noise machine.

Answer 7

It was called "home schooling" because that is where it should be.  At home, not in a busy place of work.

Get your instruction in a place condusive to study or go back to school where the focus is on education, not customers.

If you can't do that, then as soon as instruction is over, go to the public library to study.

Answer 8

your mother is unreasonable. is there a grandparent you can stay with instead of going to her work?