Living on your own while attending highscool (Center: apartment, to rent)

[zmcpherson]

I was thinking about living on my own around tarrant county while in high school. I know this sounds very insane, but the reason why i consider this is because i do not like living at home. Parents are not the reason. I love my single mother to death and would to anything for her. I have an issue with my sister who does not clean after her boyfriend (that lives here) and herself. I currently go to Northwest High School, a senior, I've been working for the same company for two years and I'm about to be promoted to a shift manager. I won't be making very much, at least 8.25, but i am guaranteed 40 hours. i have gone a whole year of high school with a few advanced classes while working 30 hours plus. maintaining a 3.5 GPA

My mom struggles paying for bills, i pay for myself with anything i do (car, insurence, gas, most meals), but my sister feels that partying with her friends is more important at the age at 22. When she is late on car payments or bills it forces my mom to struggle much more.

When it comes down to it I'm just asking for help finding any type of government help that can just give me a little bit of money since i'll be independent in high school.

[loves2read]

no government help
why don't you and your mom get a place w/o your sister

[Campeador]

Originally Posted by zmcpherson

I was thinking about living on my own around tarrant county while in high school. I know this sounds very insane, but the reason why i consider this is because i do not like living at home. Parents are not the reason. I love my single mother to death and would to anything for her. I have an issue with my sister who does not clean after her boyfriend (that lives here) and herself. I currently go to Northwest High School, a senior, I've been working for the same company for two years and I'm about to be promoted to a shift manager. I won't be making very much, at least 8.25, but i am guaranteed 40 hours. i have gone a whole year of high school with a few advanced classes while working 30 hours plus. maintaining a 3.5 GPA

My mom struggles paying for bills, i pay for myself with anything i do (car, insurence, gas, most meals), but my sister feels that partying with her friends is more important at the age at 22. When she is late on car payments or bills it forces my mom to struggle much more.

When it comes down to it I'm just asking for help finding any type of government help that can just give me a little bit of money since i'll be independent in high school.

I am unaware of any government programs to help someone in your situation. Running away from the issue, no matter how enticing that seems, is also not a great precedent to set in your young life. Family's family, and no matter how annoying your sister's antics are to you, she'll always be your sister. That sounds self-evident; what I mean is that there is a certain connection you will always share with her, despite anything that happens in life. Why not discuss things with your mom and try to work something out? It sounds like your sister and her boyfriend have possibly taken control of the household--is that accurate? Maybe your mom is feeling the same as you, and would be more likely to make a stand if she knows she's not alone in feeling that way. This is speculation--what I do know is that making it on your own is hard enough AFTER HS, I would suggest saving any money you can now to get yourself ready for the next step in life. You have a solid GPA, and are obviously responsible and self-reliant--all traits that will serve you well. Someday this issue will seem pretty small in hindsight. Best of luck.

[Squirl]

Ok, I am old enough to be your grandmother and I actually think you should live in a better environment. Can you perhaps find someone (maybe your friends' parents) who lives on a busline or close to your school or work where you can pay for a room in their home? Getting utilities set up and having full responsibilities for an apartment could be a drain on your limited work and school time, not to mention the expenses. But I really do think you might benefit greatly from a different environment. Talk to your school counselor and maybe a couple of local church pastors. They may know an older woman who would be happy to rent you a room.

[loves2read]

actually your sister is an adult
she should be acting like one
your mom is just enabling her distructive behavior
maybe she is intimidated by your sister's boyfriend--who sounds like he is not helping financially or socially your family dynamics
your family needs counseling that would help your sister and your mom understand why their behavior pattern is going to create more problems in the future

you should try to get your sister to enlist in the military--maybe the air force or coast guard

[hypocore]

Go to your school counselor and find out who the social services worker is connected to your school. Those two can best advise you on what your options are regarding services available and help you make informed and sound decisions, not based on emotions.

If you were to be out on your own you maybe could be classified as 'homeless', though I don't know the exact definitions. I do know that there are services that can be tapped for anyone who does meet the criteria for being 'homeless'.

[5stones]

If you are truely serious about living on your own you would need to become an Emancipated minor.
Emancipation in the United States Fact Sheet at Juvenile Law Center (http://www.jlc.org/factsheets/emancipationus/ - broken link)

as others have said setting up you utilities, finding a place that would rent to a minor etc will be major obsticales.

I too say first talk with your Mom, tell her exactly how you feel. You aeem like a very responsible kid, good grades and holding down a good job etc... Your mom needs to force the issue with your older sister etc... If this does not work then I would definately talk to the school officals, church friends, school friends etc...
Telling upfront that you are willing to pay for a room and contribute to groceries, housework etc... thatmight the best situation for you. Like another poster said maybe someone knows of an elderly person living alone and they would love to have someone in the house with them to help them out.

Best of luck to you. Keep your grades up and keep your job, you are on the right track.

One bonus about Emancipation...you are much more likely to gain scholarship money for college and govt grants etc... due to your income status. But then you are responsible for health insurance etc..

[loves2read]

yes--I was coming back to mention the emancipated minor factor
when I was teaching I had several students over the years who were emancipated minors--some because of family disfunction--some because family moved away and student wanted to stay and finish senior year
sometimes the student WAS living with other family/friends but not parents--and not in guardian situation--
most of them were males but I know there was at least one or two females...

your school counselor is probably on vacation right now but they will return to school before classes start--
go to school and try to talk to YOUR counselor--s/he will be busy with registration but hopefully they will agree to talk to you for while
there may be some counseling programs that would be relatively lowcost for you and your mom--I doubt your sister is going to want to do that
but she is really the one who needs the help most--

IF you are considering going into military anyway after graduation--you might consider early entry--I believe there is stipend for you because you make drills once a month or something--the only reason I suggest it is that the military does offer a way to get education for sweat labor--
I would not recommend/suggest Army/Marine enlistment but Air Force or Coast Guard might be viable choices...maybe Navy
and remember recruiters promise a lot of stuff--but I don't know how much of that they actually come thorough with as far as your assigned school choices--but for someone like you--good grades--no trouble with juvenile record--willing to work your butt off--the military can offer opportunities that you wind up going into debt for in the real world...

[5stones]

Better than enlisting, if military is what you want apply for a ROTC scholarship. Both my niece (in CO) and my nephew (In MT) are both on ROTC scholarships. After your sophomore if you find the military is nOT for you then you opt out of the program. YOu will not owe any money or additonal time. If you Opt in after your sophomore year then you owe 5 years of service after graduation.

JUst food for thought, it's a great way to pay for your college eduation.

[loves2read]

that is a good option--I though if you took the scholarship you were committed to military service even if you dropped out or did not want to finish the ROTC part...