I'm finally finished with myself, as is my mother.

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I believe one has to try to "help one's self." I don't find this trite at all.

I'll put it another way: it's essential for one to "help others help you."

I've seen quite a few kids fail school and get involved with the mental health system. Trust me: when you get in the mental health system, or the criminal justice system, it's a hard road to get out of either.

You're only 14 years old. You are not a failure. I wish you and your mother could come to an agreement about homeschooling. Homeschooling would probably be best for you.

You're only 14 years old. You have a LONG way before you can be called a failure.

I'm serious.

When I was 13, I came very close to being put into a group home because of my behavior. I was out of control. If that would have happened, I probably wouldn't have had as good a life as I've had (even though I've only been an office clerk throughout my adult life).

You don't sound like you are as "out of control" as I was.

I wish there are somebody in your life who can nurture your strengths.

But, in this society, this is the reality. I don't care what anybody else says. You have to get at least your GED. Your parents have to be diligent in trying to get you into school; otherwise, they are breaking the law. I believe, in Texas, kids have attend school until at least the age of 16.

I don't believe in being a "tough guy." I've had people try to be "tough" with me; it didn't work. The nurturing approach worked.

Like I said: you're only 14 years old. You're far from finished.

I wish there were more kids your age on this Forum.

I wonder if there are forums for kids who are having problems in school in general.

I had lots of problems in school. I used to get thrown out of class every day. I used to throw temper tantrums. I probably wasn't as smart as you, and I had narrow interests--like Neanderthal Man. I used to go around carrying a stick, even to the supermarket so I can pretend to "spear" the canned foods. I was a weird one---let me tell you!

It's a hard question you ask, with no easy answers. Probably the best thing is to "stick it out" at this school, try you best, then talk to your mother about homeschooling (after a few months or so). Show your mother that you are trying.

What sort of class is this? How many kids are in the class?

There may be some helpful information here:

https://www.connectionsacademy.com/texas-virtual-school

http://txva.k12.com/

https://tea.texas.gov/Academics/Learnin ... s_Program/

https://www.thoughtco.com/free-texas-on ... ls-1098309

(I only did a quick, lazy search and didn't read any of the pages)

What sort of work do they give you?

I wish I knew you in person, so I could advise you better.

When I would feel overwhelmed, I would put myself in "robot" mode. I would focus on the work, and only the work. I wouldn't let other kids distract me.

If you have only 10-15 kids in your class, you're probably in some sort of non-mainstream setting. Or a regular, expensive private school.

I just wish you could break this vicious cycle. That's all.

I've seen the results of not breaking the vicious cycle.

When I was a kid, I thought the same way you did. I didn't listen to people. My mother and her boyfriend would always try to get people to talk to me. These people used to just give up.

I connected with a guy who just allowed me to throw the football around with him, and to talk about anthropology. We also made apple cider together. He was a happily married man with a kid. Not much potential for abuse.

Probably the only reason why I "straightened up" was because I didn't want to go into a group home. I was scared of the kids who lived in group homes.

Yeah, a good mentor, extracurricular activities can really help.
Helped me.

I was too naïve to know about that kind of stuff then. Sexual abuse. Extortion. Very typical group home activities perpetuated by adults. Yes!