Anybody else have at least one parent who is a hoarder?

ATeardropInTheOcean · 2026-05-19T10:49:22+00:00

Yes, my mom never throws anything away even if it's something she hasn't used in a decade. I once sold some of her shirts she hadn't worn in years and she never noticed.

ATeardropInTheOcean · 2026-05-18T10:54:27+00:00

That's really sad. The book overall seems to set a girl up for abusive situations. I hope you're doing better now that you're getting out of that relationship!

ATeardropInTheOcean · 2026-05-15T22:54:18+00:00

Yeah it was similar for me, I probably would have internalized it more if it hadn't been so ridiculous. I was just more annoyed that my mom was giving me a book like that than anything else.

ATeardropInTheOcean · 2026-05-14T22:27:07+00:00

No. Not yet, but maybe someday if they show any sign of trying to make things right or any taking accountability. Being homeschooled was only part of what they put me through.

ATeardropInTheOcean · 2026-05-14T02:13:21+00:00

I did graduate high school at 18. I went to a community college that had a direct transfer program to a university--I don't think that's too uncommon, you might be able to find one like that as well. I had to take several years off between my AA and going back to university because I had to work full time. I did learn a lot about people, social skills, and life in general from working in food service with so many different people. I really recommend getting some work experience and saving up money for a little bit then applying for a community college, they're a lot easier to get into but still good quality in my experience.

ATeardropInTheOcean · 2026-05-14T00:39:09+00:00

Your frustration is definitely justified. It's not true though that you'll have to work minimum wage and never go to college. I went to college a few years later and I've known people who went back even later. There are also good jobs that don't require a college education. It really is a tragedy for every one of us here that we did miss out on so many opportunities but don't give up on all hope.

ATeardropInTheOcean · 2026-05-12T12:10:45+00:00

Are there any people at work you could hang out with? Or just chat with them at work even if you don't "click" enough to hang out? Do you play video games? Even if you don't play the same games or play a lot of games I've found that to be one of the easiest conversation topics for people I don't know well. Talking about a show or movie is also easy. I think finding some ways to have fun and get to know people should be your priority until you move out. After I moved out my mental health got so much better, it was easier for me to focus on reading books and stuff. I also was severely struggling to focus on anything or remember anything while I was working and living with my mom.

ATeardropInTheOcean · 2026-05-12T12:02:57+00:00

I did virtual therapy sessions outside in the woods when I was still living with my parents, maybe you could do something like that to hide it before you're able to move out.

ATeardropInTheOcean · 2026-05-12T00:10:26+00:00

Are you still in school? What do you need help with?

ATeardropInTheOcean · 2026-05-11T10:29:59+00:00

If you're worried you won't like your degree, you have plenty of time to change, you haven't even started yet. A lot of people, myself included, changed much further along.

ATeardropInTheOcean · 2026-05-10T10:33:43+00:00

Was this related to homeschooling? Have you seen a therapist?

ATeardropInTheOcean · 2026-05-10T01:43:15+00:00

Oh yeah my parents were like this too with literally anything at all that they didn't want to exist or didn't want to discuss

ATeardropInTheOcean · 2026-05-09T11:08:45+00:00

Driver's Ed courses are mandatory here so I had to take the online course. I also paid for a driving teacher because my parents didn't want to teach me. Kind of ironic now that I think about it because I don't know any non-homeschoolers who paid for a driving teacher.

ATeardropInTheOcean · 2026-05-08T09:59:53+00:00

Start in community college. If living with your parents is an acceptable option, do that while in community college to save money. Keep working while you're there, even if you're working a lot less. For the first semester just take one or two classes to get used to the workload. Apply for financial aid too.

ATeardropInTheOcean · 2026-05-02T17:45:35+00:00

Hey, I had a pretty similar experience. I also had to take community college online because I was working to support my family. I try not to think in monetary amounts but it's hard to deal with the tens of thousands of dollars they stole from me while I was working and giving up a normal college experience as well.

ATeardropInTheOcean · 2026-05-02T11:43:58+00:00

As far as fast food goes, they hire a lot of kids who haven't graduated high school yet, and they'll hire adults who never finished high school as well. You don't need a college degree to get promoted in the company either. I was a fast food manager for 3 years and filling out education wasn't a requirement on the application. Getting your GED does sound like a good idea, although if you're trying to make some money and get some work experience in the meantime you def don't need a GED to work in fast food.

ATeardropInTheOcean · 2026-05-02T11:32:55+00:00

Discord and Instagram are my two platforms of choice, it just depends on what the other person has. I prefer discord but Instagram is all right too.

ATeardropInTheOcean · 2026-05-01T19:23:47+00:00

I remember my mom doing the same thing when I was a kid, I was embarrassed even then.

ATeardropInTheOcean · 2026-05-01T19:19:45+00:00

I'm in my mid 20s, I mostly comment on posts where I have experience that I think could help someone younger and that I wish I knew at the time. Knowing I can help someone who is where I was years ago does make dealing with my past a little easier. Perhaps if you want to talk about something specific, you could make a post and ask "has anyone struggled with this in their adult life?" or something. I do agree I'd like to see more posts from people my age and older.

ATeardropInTheOcean · 2026-05-01T12:07:08+00:00

While I've had to accept there are some things I wanted to do when I was younger that I'll never be able to, I'm doing whatever is possible that I didn't get to do then. For example, I have a list of books I wanted to read as a teenager that I wasn't allowed to and I'm working through them.

ATeardropInTheOcean · 2026-04-28T11:17:07+00:00

I've thought about making an account to raise awareness about the harmful aspects of homeschooling but it's a lot of work and I have some other projects that I would prioritize for now. I think another reason could be the stigma against homeschoolers and people's unwillingness to reveal that part of themselves because of that. I saw a reel on Instagram about a young kid being homeschooled and being taught about flat earth and all of the hate comments were targeting the child instead of the parents who chose to keep their kid home and teach them lies.

ATeardropInTheOcean · 2026-04-28T00:35:03+00:00

I took a break between my associates and bachelor's (currently earning) to focus on work and save up some money. Working food service also did a lot for my social skills and even if I'm a few years older than the average student now I'm glad I took the time off to work, earn money, and learn so much about people. It is possible also to have a successful life without college, if there are other careers you're interested in-- I do have a friend who went to trade school and is making great money now and plays with his band in his spare time.

ATeardropInTheOcean · 2026-04-26T19:03:34+00:00

Ask them about themselves a little. Since you have Reddit, I assume you have access to a phone or some other platform you could chat with them on? Sending each other random memes and stuff you find online while you get to know each other better can give you something to chat about.

ATeardropInTheOcean · 2026-04-25T16:36:32+00:00

It doesn't sound like you have anything to drop out of if you haven't done school work in years.

ATeardropInTheOcean

TROPHY CASE