I am a university student and I want to apply to professional school next year so I have decided to dedicate my summer to do volunteering work. I will be volunteering at a 2 week summer camp for kids with autism, as well as a Rehab Centre (physical rehab). I have tried to explain to my parents how important this is for when I apply to grad school but they just don’t seem to understand or care. My dad who lives in another country wants me to go visit him, but I can’t, and he doesn’t even believe that Volunteering is why I can’t visit him, he keeps asking “why don’t you want to come see me”, it’s getting really annoying and I just don’t know why they do not underderstand how important this is for me. How can I explain to them that this is something that’s really, really important? I mean I had to work so hard, attend interviews, ask for references etc. to get these positions and they are acting as if I just want to waste my time…
#1 by Legend Lady* on January 29, 2010 - 10:42 pm
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Tell them how much you love them, & how you are trying so hard to make them proud of you & strive to succeed, because of the strength & wisdom they have taught you. & how glad you are they support you in getting your education, that you are so sorry you will not be able to visit for the summer, but you will make to sure to come the very first school vacation , you if can not get there for a few weeks before summer is over, but this work is needed for your entrance applications to the professional school & without doing this your chances of getting in will be virtually non existent, because they will accept those who did complete their volunteer work , before they do someone who applied & was accepted for the volunteer positions & then failed to show up & do the work*
#2 by Ali on January 30, 2010 - 3:57 am
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They might not understand until later when it pays off. the only thing you can do is continue to tell them that it IS really important and you WANT to do it and that you’re sorry you cant visit because you really would like to, but you just wont have the time this summer!!
if they cant understand then its best to just avoid the subject or just tell them that things aren’t changing.
#3 by Poohcat1 on January 30, 2010 - 4:56 am
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As a parent, I can understand their feelings…but you are also correct about what this will mean for your future school. Is there NO WAY you can take a few days off and at least go see them? I can assure you…it would mean the world to them even if it was only for a few days. Surely you could arrange it with the camp to have a couple weeks off.
#4 by Anonymous on January 30, 2010 - 10:09 am
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They might not want you to but its your life, and your the one who will end up cleaning the messes that you make. Who are they to stand in your way of helping someone with physical and mental challenges?
#5 by GJKiss on January 30, 2010 - 4:05 pm
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I completely understand, but you have to try to meet them half way. Find some time to visit or, if that is completely out of the question, video chat. Corny, but works.
#6 by Cream P on January 30, 2010 - 6:02 pm
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Because you failed them as a child.