[hardcorepaige69]

I am in 11th grade at my high school and the students there are really rude and obnoxous to everyone... not just me... but I am pregnant which causes a lot of words to be said about me behind my back and I'm tired of it... but while I'm in school I find it is very hard to concentrated on my work because of the distractions... I would really like to drop out but I don't know the rules on drop outs... my mother has agreed to let me drop out but how do we go about doing that without getting in trouble legally... also I want to be emancipated which my mother has also agreed to allow me to do but where do I go to do that and what are the requirements... please help me ASAP... this is really important... :(:(:(:confused:

[aaj2008]

OK look.. you are what 17? And you are about to have a kid... and you think you are going to be ready to jump into the world without even high school education... you are limited to fast food, bank teller, gas station, etc... which pays $10.00 or less and hour... and you aregoing to be able to rent an apartment, pay for your car, your insurance, your food, your baby's food, check ups with your baby, shots for your baby, medicine for your baby, electricity, water, new appliances for your apartment, etc... you got a lot of things you will have to pay for on a very low salary.. might really want to think about it. If you are dropping out because people at school are talking bad about you then you are stupid.. sorry.. but everyone in high school gets made fun of for some reason by one group or the other... jocks get made fun of because they think they are all bad "a". Computer kids get made fun of for being geeks by the jocks... and so on.. if you choose emancipation I would try to at least make it through and get your diploma or apply to get your GED... but really girl you cannot make it without an education. I'm sorry. Your baby comes first no matter what... think about your baby's future... my mom was 17.. moved out on her own and had me.. worked full time at a video store making minimum wage and she to school full time... there were some months she remembers not being able to pay the electric bill because she had to buy me food and clothes... so she would have to live without many things... I mean it's a really big commitment to move out so early in life with no education... just be sure you are ready for everything that's coming.. It will be extremely hard. Good luck with whatever you decide

[Fr_Chuck]

Sorry they can't be a bank teller without a high school education, and in today's market, there are so much unemployment even the gas stations and fast foods have people with high school and college.

Droping out may be easy now, but there will always be people talking about you, The ones in the grocrey line when you use your food stamps or the one that gives you looks when you get your free food at the food bank and so on.

So emancipated, that means you have a job to pay your bills, have a way to finish your education??

[ScottGem]

First, to be emancipated you need to show that you can support yourself. This means having a job, a place to live, care for your baby, etc. Doesn't sound to me like you are in any position to be emancipated.

Second, rude and obnoxiousis something you need to learn to live with as you will encounter it for your entire life.

Also, I hate to have to remind you but you made this bed by having sex out of wedlock.

So, you really need to tought it out and complete school. Talk to your guidance counselor, some school districts have special programs for pregnant teens.

[hardcorepaige69]

I think that I should have mentioned a few things within my last question... I am still in school I am in the GED program... also I do alreay have an apartment... ive been living there for almost 4 months... also the father of my child lives with me and after I have our baby we are getting married... its not that I'm trying to get out there in life in such a rush because believe me I love the life I'm living right now it is great... but there are just things that have to be done... and if I don't do it they will never get done... I do have a job, I am curently an assistant art teacher at the local elementry school by my house from 12-3 mon-fri and I am in training to become a Medical Examiner from 5:50-8:30pm on mon-tues-& weds... I do have a car it is a 2008 Eclipes... so it isn't like I don't know what I'm doing because I do... I just need to find a way to get emancipated... thank you for the advice... I would like to keep receiving more though...

--Paige:confused:

[ScottGem]

Won't you need to get your GED at least to complete the ME program?

Really, by the time you go through the process to get emancipated you will be 18 and the issue will be moot.

[hardcorepaige69]

True but the trainee center around here allows student that are in the process to receive their GED to participate in the training process. And like I said previously I am in the process of getting my GED I acually just came back from completing part of the GED test... It only takes 2 months to get your GED I've been in the program for almost a month and a half

[ScottGem]

Once you complete you GED, that should relieve you of having to continue to go to classes. So that should satisfy one of your issues.

You are already living sort of on your own so I don't really see the need to pursue emancipation, especially when it may take until you are 18 to get it.

[hardcorepaige69]

Yes but originally I lived with my mother who has allowed me to get my apartment. She is not why I am wanting to get emancipated. My father who I have lived with most of my life is trying to make me move back in with him and the court system is saying as soon as he shows papers on me I have to leave with him so my mother and I are trying to get me empancipated before he shows papers.

[ScottGem]

Its not that simple. But you need to start with your local Family Services agency. They can tell you the requirements and process for getting emancipated.

But your father can't just force you to come with him. He would have to get a court order and you be able to testify at a hearing for that order that you do not want to go with him. In your case, if you show the judge, your progress in the GED and ME programs, paystubs and that you have already established a residence, I believe the judge will not issue a court order that you live with your father.

[hardcorepaige69]

Ohhh OK thank you sooooo much for the advice... thank you thank you thank you

[ScottGem]

Good luck to you. If, if your father shows up with paperwork, even with the police, you can refuse to go with him. Get a copy of the paperwork or write down the court and docket #s. Then you go to that court and request a stay of his order.