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[Guest]

I was supposed to graduate high school last year but couldn't get my diploma or walk with my class due to attendance. At the end of that 1st semester I was able to make up my attendance by staying after school or on weekends doing work on computer and also paying a fee. I went and made up my hours but I couldn't pay because I don't have a job and my mom wouldn't let me get one. So she said she'd pay it. When it was the day of the deadline my mom didn't give me the money. She chose to give it to me wayy past the deadline but the principal refused to take it. I tried explaining to her it wasn't my fault but she wouldn't listen. So months past and graduation approached quick. I became very stressed. I couldn't sleep for weeks. Dark circles appeared under my eyes and you could just tell something was bothering me. I stopped going to class second semester because it was pointless if I didn't get credit for it 1st semester although I made good grades and kept up with them. Everyday I went to the counselor to find out what I could do so I could get my diploma and no one knew anything. I got into an argument with the principal because I got tired of being lied to. She was the type "if you do something for me, I'll do something for you" and it shouldn't be like that if she care about the students like she say she does. After that argument her and another assistant principal provoked me any chance they got. The principal had a grudge on me and I was still respectful towards her after that argument and talked so bad about me in the office that a coach talked to me about it. I feel that no matter the age you shouldn't disrespect me when I respect you. A teacher that was supposed to inspire students told a guy I liked to not waste time with me because he think I would be a bum and everything I do will fail. Time pass... my friends graduate and I'm very happy for them. Over the summer I did summer school and paid the fees to get my diploma and I'm still waiting on it. A lady at a beauty school keep in touch with me so I can enroll there but my mom is stopping me. I don't ask for anything. I go out my way for her and everything she say but she don't do the same. She blame the graduation thing on me because of what happened between me and the principal but if she would've paid first semester I would've walked. Now that my diploma is at my school she don't go out her way to bring me to pick it up. I needed to get a state ID to enroll at the beauty school but she refuse to bring me. I didn't want to sneak out to get them anyway because I'm not financially stable to be on my own. It's enough she fight me physically and I know the next time she hit me I'll fight her back. I don't know what to do now. I'll be 18 in a few weeks so maybe I should runaway to make my dream come true because at home it's not going anywhere.

[ccsmod16]

We're glad you reached out to NRS today, and we're very sorry to hear of this frustrating situation you've been having with your mother and we know how disappointing it can be to expect support from a parent and not receive it. Since you're almost 18 and are not getting any support at home, it does make sense that you would want to start figuring out how to be independent of your mother. One possibility you might want to consider would be transitional living programs where you would be able to have a stable place to stay while you study in a beauty school or do some other kind of preparation to get a job, find your own place to live and so forth. Obviously this would depend somewhat on where you live. The Job Corps provides a similar opportunity, and you can find them on the internet. We would be glad to talk with you and see if we can help sort out options and provide more resources, if you would like to call us. We're here 24/7 at 1-800-RUNAWAY. You can also live chat with us if you wish - just go to www.1800runaway.org and click on the chat button (4:30 pm to 11:30 pm). We wish you the best and look forward to hearing from you.