I'm 18 years old in TX, do I have to be released to my parents/guardian from school?

[TinaGZLZ]

I turned 18 2 months ago, and ever since I have been told that I am free from any parental control. I am planning to take a weekend trip to Houston with a few friends. My boyfriend wanted to pick me up after school so I don't mess up my attendance, then bring me back Sunday night and drop me off to stay at a friend's so I can make it to school Monday morning. The problem is, I've been told that he is not allowed to pick me up after school because he is not my guardian, nor do I have my parent's consent to be picked up by him. My understanding is that I cannot get picked up by anyone but my guardians, nor check myself out DURING school without their approval, which is understandable. But after that last bell rings, am I still under obligation to be released to my parents, or someone they approve?
There is another issue, I live about 45 miles out of town, and have to use school transportation to and from school on most days, does this have any effect on what I can or cannot do?

If I did take off with him after school (NOT DURING SCHOOL HOURS), what would be the repercussions of this? Would he, the school, myself, or anyone else get into trouble? If so, what sort of trouble?

Sorry for the long post! I just want to have a good idea of what I'd be getting into, and want to be sure of my rights. Thank you!

-TinaGZLZ

 

[Humusluvr]

I turned 18 2 months ago,

-TinaGZLZ

That's really all that has to be said. You are 18. You are an adult. You have all the privileges and responsibilities that go with being an adult. Go to the office, and ask if any paperwork needs to be completed so you can take care of all your own educational decisions, without parents.

Afterschool, and really even during school, you can be picked up by anyone you choose. You just need to sign yourself out at the office, (after completing any paperwork that needs done). They may not like it, but you are an adult. They cannot stop you from taking charge of your own life.

(And note, the school may balk at this, and want to act like they don't want you to do anything without your parents, but you are an adult, keep repeating that). But keep in mind, with you in control, any results from this new found freedom come with all the responsibilities.

Good Luck!

 

[TheGeekess]

Who pays your bills? Mom and Dad? If you want to do as you wish, then it's time to move out and pay for yourself. If you wish to continue having their support and money, then I suggest you play by their rules.

 

[Humusluvr]

Who pays your bills? Mom and Dad? If you want to do as you wish, then it's time to move out and pay for yourself. If you wish to continue having their support and money, then I suggest you play by their rules.

It doesn't sound to me like Mom and Dad care. She's going on a trip with BF - she's 18. She didn't say whether or not Mom and Dad are AGAINST her doing as she pleases.

 

[cbg]

I just want to add one caveat. If you are still living at home, in your parents' house, it's still their house their rules. You may have some latitude with what the school can and cannot require, but as long as you are still living under your parents' roof they still get to tell you what to do (and not do). The school cannot help you with that. Being a legal adult does not mean that you can accept the benefits of living at home (having the mortgage, utilities, grocery bills, etc. paid for you), while still doing whatever you please regardless of what your parents say.

The only way you will have total control of what you can do is to move out and pay 100% of your own bills. Until you are doing that, your parents still get to own a good portion of your life.

FYI - the two posts directly above mine were not there when I started writing this.

 

[TheGeekess]

It doesn't sound to me like Mom and Dad care. She's going on a trip with BF - she's 18. She didn't say whether or not Mom and Dad are AGAINST her doing as she pleases.

It sounds like to me Mom and Dad are going to blow a gasket; if they didn't care if she went to Houston, then why don't they sign the school's consent for boyfriend to pick her up? That'd be the easiest way to do it.

 

[Humusluvr]

It sounds like to me Mom and Dad are going to blow a gasket; if they didn't care if she went to Houston, then why don't they sign the school's consent for boyfriend to pick her up? That'd be the easiest way to do it.

Respectfully, I think you're reading the question wrong. She didn't ask about coddling Mom and Dad. She asked what she can do about the school. Answer - whatever she wants. She doesn't need any sigs from parents - she can sign for herself as an 18 year old adult. And she doesn't need jack squat to have BF pick her up after school. She can walk right out the school's door into his waiting arms if she pleases. Unless for some reason he is barred from trespassing on school property, but yadda yadda yadda - long story short, she is 18.

 

[Humusluvr]

Being a legal adult does not mean that you can accept the benefits of living at home (having the mortgage, utilities, grocery bills, etc. paid for you), while still doing whatever you please regardless of what your parents say.

She didn't say they were evicting her.

 

[cbg]

I didn't say or suggest they were.

All I am saying is that while she may have some latitude with the school by virtue of being a legal adult, she does not have that latitude with mom and dad. Since she is still living at home, they can still say No and make it stick. IF she wants total control of what she can and cannot do without mom and dad being able to do anything about it, THEN she needs to move out and pay all her own bills. But as long as mom and dad are paying for the roof over her head and the food she eats, they can say No even if the school cannot.

If the information doesn't apply, she can disregard it.

 

[Zigner]

Is that the law in Texas? In my state, majority is 18 AND finished with school.

That applies for the purposes of child support...

 

[xylene]

Can't you just walk to the Fast Food joint across the street at the end of the day.

 

[TinaGZLZ]

Thank you, Humusluvr

I really appreciate your input, that's exactly what I was asking for, I was just afraid I could get someone other than myself into trouble.

And for others...no haha I'm not being evicted, nor am a deadbeat daughter, I tutor through the school, and supplement my parent's earnings with what I get from that.

 

[cbg]

None of which changes the fact that whatever the school can or cannot do, if your parents say no, it's no.

 

[Humusluvr]

None of which changes the fact that whatever the school can or cannot do, if your parents say no, it's no.

No, she is an adult, and her education is now in her hands. If she fills out the paperwork, her parents can no longer exert control over her. She is capable of independence at school, and in life. It's her choice.

 

[cbg]

I agree she is a legal adult.

I agree that she *probably* does not need parental permission to leave school.

I disagree that she is entitled to live under her parents' roof accepting their support while simultaneously ignoring the rules of the house. She has the right, as a legal adult, to move out and make her own rules. She does not have the right, even as a legal adult, to make her own rules in someone else's house.