Unsupportive Parents

[CarolinaDude]

Before I start, I want to say that my parents aren't completely unsupportive. They provide a roof for me and they feed me, and they would never throw me out on the street or kick me out of the house.

But they're just so... ignorant.

I recently got back from this awesome and outstanding summer weekend leadership seminar thing. I had a total blast, and now I'm even inspired to help out my community and make a difference in the world. I used to be lazy, but now I actually want to do things and help others. I left the seminar with tons of new friends and in great spirits. During the car ride home, I told my parents all about it. But when we got home, they said it was a "complete waste of time". They said I would've been more productive staying home, cleaning the house, doing chores, or working if I hadn't called my time off from my employer. They said I should stop looking at other summer camps and I should just focus on school and getting into a good college and making a high salary.

I was shocked.

I'm sorry if I offend anyone with my petty story (there are actually more instances, but I don't want to bore you). I know there are people here and throughout the world that have it WAY worse than me. But I just feel like I had to tell someone.

[Listed MIA]

Well, i'm kinda shocked about that too. wouldn't they a) be glad you had a great time and b) be really happy (and proud?) that their kid wants to do something great? i can't believe they'd say it was a waste of time. hanging around at home cleaning up and stuff, that would be a waste of time. sometimes parents are just plain weird and annoying.

[Destructive Impulse]

Wow the exact same thing happened to me. Did you go to ryla too?

[Stryker125]

Parents just don't understand.

^ I think that's a song...not sure

[Destructive Impulse]

Wait what's a song?

[Gandalf]

I was shocked.


It is shocking, meeting new people and experiencing new things. It should never be allowed. :rolleyes:

Yes I was being sarcastic, I don't see why this should be a problem with your parents, you seem to be putting your time to good use, especially since your actually appear to be arranging more potential camps yourself. Your parents lecture you about college, tell them it will look good on the application form (It makes you stand out in a good way)

This is similar to the kind of thing I have done with a local youth project I'm part of.

[DarkNick]

Just don't let them get (deep) inside in your head...
You SHOULD have a spirit that is happy to help the community around you and it'll have you too since you'll be out of that cliché ''go get in to a college and go find a job and stuff'' ....
If you want to actually ''live'' yes you need a job, but being friendly and open minded isn't ''useless'' at all...
My parents are like that as well...heh actually my father always used to persuade me to do something and then taking it back 'cause oooh it's too hard you might get hurt and stuff.... I always remember that just 'cause someone is older than you, it doesn't mean that he makes more sense than you... Damn I've met some strange ''adults'' … Actually... Greece is so full of them :P

[botwa]

yes, I'm shocked too but sounds familiar.
there was a time when my parents thought that my activities are nothing around useful.
but when my activities started to show the positive results they agreed that it was helpful (and even said that it was their accomplishment (?!)).
I guess you just need to do what you do if they don't interfere.
Explaining is worthless.

[dontfiguremeout]

Dude, that sucks badly! Well all I got to tell you is prove them wrong. Prove to them that the camp you went to was useful! And one more thing, go up to your parents and tell them that they bring you down when they tell you that you did was useless. They will listen to you, and if it doesn't work, then you just got to prove them wrong.

[runnerz]

I totally agree with the part about proving them wrong that the above poster posted. It's weird, one of my parents is supportive and the other is just like what you describe.

You know what benefit you got from the camp, sometimes you just gotta rest in that knowledge rather than in encouragement.

[Mikedamaniak]

I say just don't listen to them, and do less of what they think you should do. They probably want you to be lazy and therefore without many friends, just like them because they want you to learn from them rather than other teenagers, and if you ask me, that's a form of conspiracy. If this goes nowhere, keep not doing what they say on other things that go far beond their ignorance and dislike of being out and about.

[Dark Blue]

That's not true at all, it definitely wasn't a waste of time if it changed you in such a way and you enjoyed yourself. Some people (which includes parents) dont see the benefit in things such as those type of summer camps. You just have to learn how to develop your own opinion and try to not let them deter you.

[TheSillyLifeWeLive]

Thats when you say "I don't care about your opinion to be honest." And then walk away. Do what you want / feel that you need to do.

The only thing they are going to do for you is hold you back. Maybe this is because they want to spend more time with you? Maybe they missed you while you were gone, so they were like 'sbjhsbdkhunsdkilkn' at you for wanting to leave again. Are you an only child?

I feel like your doing an amazing thing. Do it.

Thats my opinion :3