How can I convince my parents to let me spend a week alone at our lake house?

3rd

How can I convince my parents to let me spend a week alone at our lake house?

Posted by How To Get Organized, in how to declutter

I live in a very fast-paced city and have a demanding, stressful schedule, and I have a really strong desire to spend a week of my winter break up alone at our lake house in the mountains just writing, painting, and chilling. I’ve been inspired by Walden Pond and want solitary time in nature to reflect. I would send them a text or email every day just to let them know I’m fine, but would spend the rest of the time without the internet or TV and just declutter my brain. The house is only like a three hour drive from my house, and I’m familiar with the route, but haven’t driven it before just because it’s slightly winding and they’re paranoid about me getting into an accident. I’d go up during the daylight before it gets snowy, and go to the store and get everything I need for the week, then not drive again. I wouldn’t have anyone over. The house has a high-tech alarm system so nobody could break in. I have a health condition, but I can manage it myself for a week, and one of our neighbors up there is a retired oncologist who knows us well, so if I truly needed help I could go to him. There are medical facilities up there. It’s close to a ski resort so they have all the things you’d need.
I’m 17, and will be 18 next spring. Do you think this is an unreasonable request? I mean, we have the house and it’s just sitting there empty so why not use it? How can I talk them into agreeing to this? I really need to go, so helpful answers would be appreciated.
CC – I don’t spook easily. I don’t think it snows that frequently in the mid-morning, and the roads are maintained. Yeah, our house is slightly more plush than Thoreau’s!

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5 Responses to “How can I convince my parents to let me spend a week alone at our lake house?”

Chivalrous Curmudgeon
April 3rd, 2010 at 10:17 pm
It sounds like a great idea to me. It is very renewing to get away by yourself especially when it is close to nature. I’m sure you are talking beautiful scenery. You do realize though that being alone in a house in a rural area in the winter can be a spooky experience at times if you are not use to it.

Have you tested the waters yet or are you arming yourself in advance? I’m assuming it is not Thoreau’s idea of a cabin in the woods. I’ve done the primitive route and it isn’t that much fun. It sounds like there are year round neighbors. Do you have a caretaker or some local who can help you do whatever is required to set it up and winterize it again when you leave? Also that you could contact in case of a problem with the house. Just tell your parents you will drive very slowly and carefully and heed all weather reports. Does is really snow only at night? Be flexible on your dates as much as your schedule will permit. That way if a storm comes up you don’t feel pressured to travel. It sounds like you’ve thought through the other possible objections. Without coming across as juvenile you might just need to get a little more assertive.
amsam
April 3rd, 2010 at 10:17 pm
sounds awesome. i hope you get to go. i’d let you (and i’m a b**ch).
lilgirl101
April 3rd, 2010 at 10:17 pm
awesome
just make them understand that your old enough &&+ mature.
Readywhenur
April 3rd, 2010 at 10:17 pm
i think you should sit down and talk to them and point out all the ways you are a responsible person. If you are. If you’re not a responsible person then I would say no too.
Morgan
April 3rd, 2010 at 10:17 pm
calmly sit down and tell them all this stuff. Be willing to compromise/bargain. If they say no, there isn’t really anything you can do. It seems resonable to me, but seeing that you are only 17 and have a medical condition, I can see why they may not want you up there alone, I’d be worried sick about any of my kids, even if they were 17 or 18. Remember that they have good reason to be concerned: they love you and want you to be safe. At the same time, you are growing up and this seems like a relatively safe way for you to declare your independence.

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