Homeschooling Teens: What to do When They Change Their Mind

Has your child ever changed their mind? Ever? Not surprisingly, most teenagers have changed their mind from time to time. Parents can become extremely frustrated by that - but you can still achieve success! This letter from Julie illustrates some great tips from the parent of a senior.
Always be prepared!

Hi Lee,
My son had applied to Hillsdale College in Michigan and wanted to attend to get a business degree. *We decided that he should visit* the campus to see if he'd like it. He did like it, but, he did change his mind about attending there. He really wants to attend a college fairly close to where we live. It took a lot to help him get his application in to Hillsdale with all the information and whatnot that is needed. At this point, we still do not have an 'exact' college in mind and for sure should have applied by now, but he is working very hard to graduate and his time is really limited. I feel like I don't have a lot of energy to pursue one for him, since we have a little special needs child besides others that I am homeschooling.

So, have you heard of CollegePlus? What do you think about it? We'd prefer to avoid community college because of their heavy emphasis in a liberal agenda.

Thanks,
~ Julie in Washington

For parents, remember these key tips so you remain prepared for anything.

College visits are critical
You never REALLY know if a college is a good fit until you visit. It sounds like Hillsdale was the perfect fit for her child - until he visited. Then he became away of exactly how far Hillsdale was from home, and how much effort it would take to travel to and from college. He changed his mind. Always visit colleges, like Julie did, so that you can know that a college is REALLY a good fit - and not just a good fit in every way but one.

Apply to more than one college
Apply to a variety of colleges, so that you have some to choose from during senior year.

Life is busy
Parents get busy. Sometimes it's another homeschooling child that takes your time. Sometimes it is a crisis or health concern. But life goes on, even if your child is a senior in college. Plan ahead, be prepared, and recognize your own limitations.

Senior year is busy
It's hard to describe just how busy and stressful senior year can be. It can be difficult to motivate a teenager to apply to college anyway, but during senior year it is even MORE difficult as the stress level increases. The earlier you complete applications in senior year, the happier everyone will be. For those students taking dual enrollment courses, it's even MORE difficult to complete applications. For those children, consider filling out applications in the summer before senior year, so only small details need to be added.

CollegePlus is an option
CollegePlus would be a GREAT fit for this situation right now. Here is the link to CollegePlus! College Plus is best for kids that are wanting a degree like business or humanities, and want to live at home while doing it. A student should be able to graduate debt-free with an accredited college degree. College Plus is very much like my Gold Care Club. In the Gold Care Club I mentor moms homeschooling high school. At CollegePlus, they mentor students as they homeschool college. CollegePlus will help you find a college that will allow distance learning. Although you CAN go it alone, because you don't have a lot of time to devote to that right now, it would make sense for your son to become pro-active, and be interacting directly with CollegePlus without you as an intermediary. In my mind, this is the optimal situation with CollegePlus. I love their business, and I know the guys personally. Here is my recent blog posts about CollegePlus.

Community college is an option
I strongly agree that community college will not be a good fit for Julie's family, based on her comments. Please read my community college stories on the blog. Yikes! For other families, community college can be the middle step between high school and a final destination for college.

Local college can be the next step
There may be a local public university that may also be a fit for some families. With that option, the child can begin their first year or two of college locally. after a time they may transfer to another university, from which they will finally earn their degree and graduate.

I know teenagers can be difficult. Sometimes it can feel like you are nailing jello to the wall! But hang on! You have options - even when they change their mind!

Blessings,
Lee

Article Source: http://www.bizymoms.com/expert-advice

Lee Binz, The HomeScholar, teaches parents about homeschooling high school. Her boys earned full-tuition scholarships at their first choice university. Her Total Transcript Solution will help you create amazing homeschool transcripts that will impress the colleges! Learn how she did it on TheHomeScholar.com.

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