I'm 15 and my mom walks me to school.

Every single day my mom walks me to school and I'm almost 16. My school is 35 mins away and lots of students walk the same path I do going to school so it's not like I'm going alone. I want her to stop or just walk wothy occasionally but every time I actually say something she gets really mad at me and starts shouting. It's not like I'm embarrassed about her walking with me but it's the fact that she won't let me be more independent. I have an older brother and when he was my age, my mom didn't walk with him at all and we literally went to the same school. It's really exhausting because sometimes I just wanna be alone and I can't even get that in my own home. Everyone brings up that I'm the only person in secondary school who still walks with their mom and I always say that it's not a big deal because it's not. I literally would'nt care if she'd walk with me OCCASIONALLY. I can't even go anywhere with my friend or even go to the side shop around the corner because of how over protective my mom is. How do I tell her to stop?

Original post by Anonymous

Every single day my mom walks me to school and I'm almost 16. My school is 35 mins away and lots of students walk the same path I do going to school so it's not like I'm going alone. I want her to stop or just walk wothy occasionally but every time I actually say something she gets really mad at me and starts shouting. It's not like I'm embarrassed about her walking with me but it's the fact that she won't let me be more independent. I have an older brother and when he was my age, my mom didn't walk with him at all and we literally went to the same school. It's really exhausting because sometimes I just wanna be alone and I can't even get that in my own home. Everyone brings up that I'm the only person in secondary school who still walks with their mom and I always say that it's not a big deal because it's not. I literally would'nt care if she'd walk with me OCCASIONALLY. I can't even go anywhere with my friend or even go to the side shop around the corner because of how over protective my mom is. How do I tell her to stop?

Given that "every time I actually say something she gets really mad at me and starts shouting", you need to be prepared for that reaction. You also need to appreciate her perspective. She's cared for and protected you for 16 years now - that's not something which she's going to be able to "switch off" easily.

You say it's a 35-minute walk. How about suggest that she accompany you for the first 30 minutes, but allow you to walk the last 5 minutes by yourself. If she challenges you as to why, you can say it's easier to gather your thoughts and mentally prepare for the day ahead if you're walking alone.

If that works, then after a couple of weeks, suggest a 25-minute/10-minute split. (You can see where this is going can't you?)

Hopefully, once she realises that you can walk alone for a few minutes, she'll realise that you're perfectly capable of doing so for a few more minutes.

And, if all else fails, can you out-run her?! :wink:

Reply 2

Areqaa88

4

I used to have the same issue when I was 15, but my mum would make me walk to school and back with my brother even though he was younger than me and the walk was ten minutes or less.

Does your mum walk you home after school too? If so, tell her you have an after school revision session or a club so you'll be back an hour later so she won't be waiting for you at the end of the school day. Then just walk home yourself when school normally finishes. Obviously lying to your parents is bad and all but your mum needs to learn to back off and this way you'll at least prove to her you can walk home and be perfectly fine. Its what I did and it worked, hopefully it'll work for you too.

Good luck.

Reply 3

Anonymous #2

It sounds like your mother has underlying fears or concerns that’s causing her to be more overprotective of you than your brother. I suggest you sit down when you are both calm have an open, non confrontational conversation. You could start by acknowledging you understand she cares for your safety, and how walking alone would make you feel more independent and trusted. Make sure to express that your not rejecting her support, rather you want to grow into more responsibilities now you are getting older.

Reply 4

Kdipstar

9

There is a reason she is behaving like this. Is it a tough neighborhood? Do kids get mugged? Etc. She is being somewhat over protective granted. I agree, walk half way if she must but also Instill the confidence in her that you can do it by yourself and that she won't be there forever to walk you to school, you have to stand up on your own 2 feet, also sell the point she can get that time back to herself. Promise her you will call her as soon as you get into school. I'm sure this can be resolved with a calm conversation.

I'm 15 and my mom walks me to school.

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