how can i convince my mom to homeschool me?

Wow. Well, first I would suggest having a heart-to-heart with your mom and working out ways to show her you can handle this. With everything that's been going on in your life, possibly an equal amount has been going on in her life and she may not be sure she can actually handle this. (Being a homeschool mom, I'm just trying to see it from what might be her angle, to give you an idea on how to approach it.) Or, she may just not know the details and options of homeschooling and may be hesitant to try it.

It sounds like you're ready to take responsibility for your education, which is great! She may not be aware of all of the options that are out there, as far as classes, curriculum, and online. If you do your research in advance, and agree to a schedule and show her that you're willing to stick to it, I think you probably have a good chance.

You have two options on how to approach this: 1) get a copy of the scope and sequence from your school (this may even be online) and find out what classes are up next for you. The scope and sequence is the classes that are offered, the subject matter included in each, and the order that they are taken in. You can get one from your school office if it isn't online. Make a list of classes, then scout around for curriculum. www.rainbowresource.com is a good source, it has discounted curriculum for everything (literally). They'll send you a free catalog, it's about the size of a phone book. You should be able to find what you need in there :-) and maybe your dad will help foot the bill?

That would probably be the easiest option, since it's on a schedule that you've already been keeping. And honestly, it's what I would suggest at this point in time - it'll be easier for you to adjust to and prove to your mom that you're not wanting to homeschool so you can take it easy.

Option 2: Do you know what you want to do after high school? A career path or major that you're sure you want to take? You can order college course catalogs from any colleges you're scouting out and find out what your coursework is going to be like. Then, work up a suggested course load that will prepare you for your post-high school plans. (This may be better suited to 11th and 12th grade, after you've got a good grip on what you need to do.)

You can do this - but you're probably going to have to submit to showing responsibility in other areas of your life over the summer. Offer to take on some chores around the house and yard, and then keep up with them. Be ontime for a set curfew every time. Or even try a few weeks of homeschooling over the summer - show your mom that you can keep up with the course load and schedule once you're left to your own devices.

I hope this helps - you really can do this. It'll take work on your part - which it sounds like you're up for - but you really can do it.

And I gave Matt a thumbs-down for you too :-)

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Research, research, research, not here on YA but on the internet. Google Homeschooling advantages, disadvantages, homeschooling statistics, ... Read studies, show her that you know how to interpret them (read the statistical limitations they list), Try to see the broad picture, not individual stories, because those are easier to counter. Think of the benefits, and be honest with the things that will be difficult for you and your family. Then present a written persuasive essay, *well written* (not a rambling jumble of complaints). She'll come to understand you are able to see two sides of an argument and that you can research and learn on your own by doing this.

I am a homeschooling mother. I saw your question and would like to give a bit of advice. Please remmeber that I am just going off of what you have said and know nothing else of your situation.

I do not have a job outside of my home, though I ran my husband's business for 10 yrs. This year we hired a secratary and I am looking forward to less stress during school (phone calls, bills to send, ect.). In fact, we started school this week.

The first thing you need to do to convince your mother to homeschool you is housework. You may already do this, but hear me out. It is very stressful at the end of the day to come home and see something needs to be done. You don't have the mental energy, let along physical energy. If you prove that you being home will be a help to her and not a hindrance, she will be more willing to listen to your carefully thought out arguments.

One suggestion: make up a schedule. Here is mine:

Mondays: clean bathrooms

Tuesdays: dust and vacuum downstairs

Wednesdays: dust and vacuum upstairs

Thursdays:mop

Fridays:clean bathroom(s)

Saturdays: wash sheets, look over house quick

This type of schedule helps so that you only spend a short time on housework and there is more time for school.

Next, you need to let your mom know that you are willing to do your schoolwork. A lot of people think that homeschoolers just sit at home all day in their pjs. Make up a schedule showing when you plan to get up, when chores will be done by, and what time school will start. Make sure it is resonable (I tried, and I just cannot get up at 5:30 to do my exercising...that was not a resonable goal for myself) and if it does not always get followed, oh well, it is just a guide.

Make a goal on what you and she agree are "good" grades. Grades that you will strive to make and she will be happy with. Look into programs out there that allow you to do your school at home, but your mom sends it in to get graded. This may be an easier thing for her if she has a stressful job, as well as a lot of people who homeschool for the 1st time are scared (it is hard to imagine your mom scared, I know, but it does happen :)

There are satellite programs where you listen to a teacher over a satellite, there are DVD and video programs, and there is even a program where they send the school stuff on a harddrive. There are hundreds of programs and options available to homeschoolers. It is easy to get overwhelmed. Have your mom look up a local support group for homeschoolers (in my state the school district has to supply this list to anyone who asks). She can call the people who belong to the group and they will answer all her questions.

Another thing is to talk to your dad. Maybe he can do the teaching of your math and science, or if those are your mother's favorite subjects, he could do the shop class and English. You get the idea. Even if they are divorced both should be involved in your schooling. Your mom will need to know that not only is he supportive, but he is willing to help in your education as well. I hope this helps you. CJ Nygaard

nygaardcj@yahoo.com

My answer would depend on why you got kicked out of school. If it was failure to listen, then no, homeschooling won't help you any more than public school, unless your mom is there 100% of the time you are schooling. If it was something more to do with you are way ahead of the rest of the kids your age, and got bored with what seems like cookie cutter material, then homeschooling will help immensely. My belief on homeschooling is if people are going to do it, to make sure the kids are well above the national average in public school.

You could explain that you have reached the point in life where you realize that all your decisions have far reaching ramifications. You have decided that you will be making a choice that will be affecting the rest of your life. You feel that the situation of public school is setting you up for no future and you have chosen to opt out of the name brand everyone is doing it peer pressure and would rather go it on your own. Don't do it in anger but in a positive self assured tone of voice.

The first thing to do is find out your state laws on homeschooling. It is legal in all 50 states, but each state has slightly different requirements. The HSLDA website (link in resources, below) gives a good overview for each individual state, as far as recordkeeping, teacher qualifications, testing, etc. Click on the US map on the right to look up the laws in your state.

The best way to convince her is to just do it. Since most schools are out for summer, this is the perfect time to demonstrate to her that you have both the initiative and drive to do it. You've already made out your schedule, you can probably make up your assignments, too. Is there something you've wanted to learn but the school didn't offer or you were never able to get into the class? Find books about that, read them, and then, write a report for your mom to review. Start by writing 10-12 questions that you want to find out about the subject, then find them out and report them. If there's a language you wanted to study, see what the library has and start teaching yourself.

Check out Grace Llewellyn's book _The Teenage Liberation Handbook_. It has excellent information about homeschooling high school and self-directed learning, as well as how to convince your parents. You might ask mom to read it, too. If you're in 10th grade, you should be both mature enough and smart enough to learn on your own.

If you'd prefer to get your assignments from an outside source, there are lots of options: satellite schools, local umbrella schools, DVD- and computer-based instruction, correspondence school, CBE (credit-by-exam - for stuff you already learned but just need "credit" for). Get in touch with someone from a local homeschool group and see if anyone is using any of these and would let you look at it (see what it's like). Many of these options do have a cost, but this may be where your dad comes in - would he be willing to pay for part or all of it?

If you want to take classes, check out the local community or junior college. Most allow high school juniors and seniors to take classes that count for both high school and college credit (called "dual enrollment"). You can also use this as an opportunity to get references from the professors for your college apps.

And yes, homeschoolers DO get into college quite easily. In fact, many colleges and universities now recruit (or seek out) homeschoolers because they tend to do better in college (better grades, better study habits, able to work independently, more active in campus and outside activities).

If you can do ALL the work yourself, there will be no pressure on your mom and (once she sees this) she may be more open to the idea. Best wishes!

EDIT: I agree that you should also help out with the housework. This will certainly show mom that you have the level of maturity that is needed to make homeschooling yourself successful.

i home school all my children and i have 4 ,i also assist my wife who runs an alternative school called Rainbow Educare Trust www.rainboweducaretrust.org.We think that school values the left brain logic we tend to lose our intuition, individuality and creativity to some degree.The way the world changes so quick from year to year the curriculum dos not also move with the times .A lot of the stuff we learn at school is useless and at home we can learn what is important to our family.community and values ,empower yourself and your life and get mom to educate you at home and it may be she feel inadequate to do that, but who has been your teacher from birth Mum and Dad .She will learn as much as you do.

Maybe you can convince her to let you try it for a quarter or a semester. If you show her how well you can work alone and get your assignments done AND get good grades, she may let you continue to be homeschooled.

just talk to her about it, and explain that going to school clearly hasnt worked for you, so you feel you would learn best if you were homeschooled. Just let her know and preferably show her somehow that you have thought through this decision thoroughly and havent just jumped at the chance not to go to school...

good luck