My son will be 16 tomorrow & He's announced he is quitting school.. Please, help any suggestions appreciated...

SUSAN J. - posted on 04/25/2012

Susan, I sympathize with you, is there an adult that he would take to? Could the school counsellor not try and convince him to stay in school?

I would be trying to convince him to continue on for one more year to get all the credits he needs. Ask him what he sees himself doing job/vocation wise for the rest of his life? will he need more education to accomplish what he wants to be and do? If so explain to him that it will be so much easier to get an education now when he is single than wait when it might not happen if he gets married and has children and there isn;t the time or money to go back to school. I would also show him the difference between the money he will make if he quits school now and what he can make if he does at least one more year and also the different jobs availalble to him. Education opens so many doors that he is closing off before he has started. Good luck.

Susan - posted on 04/25/2012

Thanks Tammy....I'm trying, but he isn't really acting like he wants to finish this year. Open enrollment is now for online schooling? He did say he would do the online schooling, but I don't know too much about it. Thanks for any info you may have re: same..... Appreciate your help.

Tammy - posted on 04/25/2012

Ask him to PLEASE finish off this year, and to consider online schooling for next year. I have 2 children that go to eAchieve and I have one in college that graduated with them. Open enrollment is now but time is running out. imagrandmamom@yahoo.com

June - posted on 04/25/2012

My brother told my mom that once...she told him, fine I'll sign you out, but before I do you need to sign up with the Armed Forces...so he said yes and joined the army and then she signed him out.

Julie - posted on 04/25/2012

he dosent have the legal right to quit. it is a law he go o school weather he likes it or not. If he wont go call the police. Tuff love. he will appreciate it one day

Susan - posted on 04/25/2012

No, it certainly is not what I had in mind at all. Really, he spoke with his Counselor at school today, who he actually looks up to. Basically, the only thing I can see going on, is he just wants to get his GED and be done with it. He says he wants to work. There are several grocery stores within walking he wants to try and get a job with.

A few of his friends are doing the get the GED quick thing and I think, he is just wanting to take the easy way out. I certainly don't agree, of course. As for his sister's, no, he always frowned upon them quitting early. At that particular time, their Dad was very sick & we knew his time on earth was very limited. So, they both feared leaving him and that was just a really bad time all the way around. Believe me, court hearings, the whole nine yards was the end result. She has turned out to be a very good Mom. She has two beautiful boys, ages 3 1/2 & 6 months and is getting married this December. As for his other sister, she has been preparing herself to take her GED.

No, I really would not consider kicking him out...... He is actually a very good kid & has promised to go through with getting his GED. He has all the plans laid out about doing this in the next three months. (Required time you must be off of the school's rolls.) I just can't see why he can't do one more year & obtain the seven credits he needs through regular schooling. And he wants to work right away, as there are several places within walking that do hire at his age. I'm just so disappointed and yes, I really do feel like I have failed terribly......

I appreciate your comments and input. And believe me, if he didn't try to get his GED and/or a job, I will then show him the door. Thanks Alison...

Alison - posted on 04/25/2012

Wow, Susan. I can imagine this is not what you have envisioned for your children. Is there anyone (adult friend or uncle, etc.) who can talk to him to find out what's going on and help him to see what's wrong with that decision?



It must be tough, since he has already seen his sisters drop out. What are they doing now? How do they feel about his decision?



Have you considered kicking him out? Or rather only providing room and board if he stays in school? I cannot see myself supporting an able-bodied teenager who refuses to go to school.