If you are asking this question, you need to know you are not alone. This is the most often asked question I get from students who are considering home education. Let me first clue you in to where your parents are coming from. And then I will show you how to have a mature conversation with your parents about home schooling.
1. One phrase that is very effective with parents is “How would it affect you if… I go to the movies Friday night”. Start using this phrase with your parents. It moves you towards a respectful adult relationship and away from ….”Can I go to the movies”. Try it now before you start asking them about home schooling. It will help them see you as a responsible young adult.
2. “What are your concerns about home schooling?” Ask them and then listen. Don’t talk back or defend your position. Just listen and respond with “okay” or “that makes sense.” Parents want to be heard and understood. They will be shocked when you act in a mature fashion. Make a point of just listening and plan to talk to them the next day about their concerns.
3. Many Parents think home schooling is for kids who are strange. When they were in high school, home schooling was unheard of and odd. Give them some time to investigate and check out the many new forms of home schooling. You might want to contact some of the online schools and request a catalog or admissions information. Don’t try and convince them right now that home schooling is mainstream. Give them some time to read and investigate what is available.
4. Parents are usually concerned about money. When they hear “home schooling”, they think that it is going to cost them money and they may not share this concern with you. It’s okay to bring this up with them. Tell them that there are many free online home school options (K-12, Connections Academy, Kaplan and Insight.) And even if you choose to home school independent of an online school, there are many ways to home school without spending a lot of money.
5. Spend some time thinking about the reasons you think home schooling will fit with your personality. Make a list and then be prepared to discuss this with your parents. Choose a time when everyone is well fed, not in a rush and when you have plenty of time to talk. Be sure to listen to them and they will learn to respect you too.
6. Be honest. Some kids are having problems at school and they don’t share that with their parents. Explain what the day to day problems are at school, if there are problems. Tell them about how you have tried to resolve the issues. Let them know that you are not running from your problems but that some issues can’t be resolved. Ask them to tell you about a difficult person or situation from their work environment. By talking about this, may parents start to realize how tough your situation is and that you feel trapped, unable to make things better.
7. Be responsible. When your parents see you doing your chores and homework
How Do I Convince My Parents to Let Me Home School?
If you are asking this question, you need to know you are not alone. This is the most often asked question I get from students who are considering home education. Let me first clue you in to where your parents are coming from. And then I will show you how to have a mature conversation with your parents about home schooling.
1. One phrase that is very effective with parents is “How would it affect you if… I go to the movies Friday night”. Start using this phrase with your parents. It moves you towards a respectful adult relationship and away from ….”Can I go to the movies”. Try it now before you start asking them about home schooling. It will help them see you as a responsible young adult.
2. “What are your concerns about home schooling?” Ask them and then listen. Don’t talk back or defend your position. Just listen and respond with “okay” or “that makes sense.” Parents want to be heard and understood. They will be shocked when you act in a mature fashion. Make a point of just listening and plan to talk to them the next day about their concerns.
3. Many Parents think home schooling is for kids who are strange. When they were in high school, home schooling was unheard of and odd. Give them some time to investigate and check out the many new forms of home schooling. You might want to contact some of the online schools and request a catalog or admissions information. Don’t try and convince them right now that home schooling is mainstream. Give them some time to read and investigate what is available.
4. Parents are usually concerned about money. When they hear “home schooling”, they think that it is going to cost them money and they may not share this concern with you. It’s okay to bring this up with them. Tell them that there are many free online home school options (K-12, Connections Academy, Kaplan and Insight.) And even if you choose to home school independent of an online school, there are many ways to home school without spending a lot of money.
5. Spend some time thinking about the reasons you think home schooling will fit with your personality. Make a list and then be prepared to discuss this with your parents. Choose a time when everyone is well fed, not in a rush and when you have plenty of time to talk. Be sure to listen to them and they will learn to respect you too.
6. Be honest. Some kids are having problems at school and they don’t share that with their parents. Explain what the day to day problems are at school, if there are problems. Tell them about how you have tried to resolve the issues. Let them know that you are not running from your problems but that some issues can’t be resolved. Ask them to tell you about a difficult person or situation from their work environment. By talking about this, may parents start to realize how tough your situation is and that you feel trapped, unable to make things better.
7. Be responsible. When your parents see you doing your chores and homework