17 year old won't go to school - PA.

[RRevak]

Kick her butt to the curb and be done with her.

I seriously hope you're not a parent because many times this only serves to hurt rather than help an unruly situation. There are other ways to parent than just washing your hands of your children.

 

[Pinkie39]

OK dad i'm stepping on a limb here and saying that is a very wrong statement to make. I know quite a few successful individuals who have obtained GED's, started community college and then moved on to 4yr universities (good ones) where they thrived. The traditional "diploma, then 4 yr, then masters (or something else) just isn't the right path for everyone and at this point you need to let that go. What you should now be doing is encouraging a GED then a different path to college. There are lots of people who do poorly in high school only to find college amazing and do very well. Something about the different structures of the classes and work just sits better with them than a more rigid high school classroom environment. You need to be careful about giving her a message that if she doesn't do things "your" way that she will fail utterly. Try encouraging her to do something different but still giving her the same end goal. You might find her a bit more receptive.

I agree with this! Very well said! I have my GED, and still went to college. I earned a bachelor's degree. One of my older brothers has a GED as well, and is a successful small business owner, earning a six figure salary.

I too wonder if there is something going on at school, that is making the daughter not want to attend. Maybe she can't deal with all the typical teenage drama and cliques. Or she has an undiagnosed learning disability. Maybe she would do better in a public or alternative school. Or maybe a GED really is the best option for her.

 

[Ohiogal]

I agree with this! Very well said! I have my GED, and still went to college. I earned a bachelor's degree. One of my older brothers has a GED as well, and is a successful small business owner, earning a six figure salary.

I too wonder if there is something going on at school, that is making the daughter not want to attend. Maybe she can't deal with all the typical teenage drama and cliques. Or she has an undiagnosed learning disability. Maybe she would do better in a public or alternative school. Or maybe a GED really is the best option for her.

Or maybe she learned that her mother and who she thought was her dad are nothing but big old liars and frauds and that threw her for a loop.

 

[stealth2]

OP... The most important thing NOW is what Mom thinks about this situation and what she is willing to do about it. And something needs to be done NOW. Because if kiddo wants to go to college directly from HS? Junior year is crucial. All is not lost, though... If *I* were Mom... I would do a few things:

1. Speak with the school and withdraw kiddo ASAP. She should end up with Incompletes for the term.
2. Find out what is needed for her to complete the term w/passing grades(i.e. Can she take online classes? What about summer school? Online or in-person? Mine had to retake a class spring of her Senior year - a full semester course took her 3 weeks online, and that was while she was going to school, playing a sport, etc.)
3. Bully the psych to see kiddo AT LEAST weekly,
4. Start family therapy for all three of you.
5. Start serious one-on-one time with kiddo.

Just what I would do.