She refuses to listen or go to school.

[Lina99]

I'm the guardian of my 16 year old sister. I've been her guardian since I was 18. (Im 21 now). She goes to an high school online and she recently got a job about a month ago. Ever since she got her job. She's hanging around a bad group of friends. She has stopped doing her school work. She refuses to do it. She only works part time, but she leaves early in the morning, about 9 or 10 and will come home really late like at 11pm or 12. There have been times when she would come home at 2 in the morning. She's obviously not at work the whole time. She makes up lies about why she gets home so late. She won't tell me where she's really been. Every night, I wait for her to get home and worry about what's she's doing or worry that something might have happened to her. She ignore my calls and text messages. And now her school is telling me that she has until December to catch up or she'll be held back a school year. Plus, I had to go to a store to pick her up yesterday because she was caught stealing with those friends. They would have taken her to a juvenile detention center. The only reason they didn't was because I begged them not to. I honestly do not know what to do. I have taken care of her ever since I can remember and done everything I can to always make sure she had clothes, food, anything she needed. But now she treats me so bad. What do you think I should do?

[afreshstartplease]

What happened to lead to you being her guardian? Could this be why she is acting out?

[yeOldeTrout]

Are you in UK, Lina? What are the truancy or GED rules where you are (when can she take GED)?

[Lina99]

We live in the US. Her dad lives in a different. And our mother left but that was so many years ago. The school told me if she's doesn't go to school then that would be truancy and she could end up going to a juvenile detention center and I would have to pay fines. She can take the GED if I sign papers saying its ok but She doesn't want to take the GED either.

[yeOldeTrout]

You have to protect yourself, whatever happens. The help available must vary by state, because you need advice for your situation. I would try googling for 'Help for school truants in Iowa" or wherever you are.

[Travelledtheworld]

Her High School must have a guidance counsellor ?
You should talk to them and see if they can help.
I am sorry you have to be responsible for her. You sound like a nice, sensible woman.

[RandomMess]

Sounds like she could be doing drugs tbh.

[TuTru]

That's was an amazing responsibility for you to take on when you were still so young yourself. You should be proud that you care so much about your sister.
I'm having trouble coping with a teenager and I'm old and have a lot of life experience behind me.
I hope you both come out the other side ok. Is there no support service you can call upon?
Also, be sure to take care of yourself just as importantly. It's easy to get carried away with worry, try and stay strong and even when you don't feel it, make sure you still act strong, as any sign of weakness and these teenagers take advantage.
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