Question(s) about what the rights of children are, or what's consider abuse.

[Battlepirates]

Hey, I have a very long story, in short I have a stepmother that makes my life very difficult, I'm depended on and expected to do everything in the house from doing everybody's laundry, to being forced to make dinner. I have a 97 average, I think i deserve a LOT of cut slack. I take advanced classes and already have a lot of stress to get into a competitive program, and now they're trying to force me to take care of a cat that has fleas from outside, by making it stay in MY tiny room and take care of it's cat box. I read up, and for this stay if you have to many responsibilities that make you feel to adultish in a household where you're too depended on, then you can be removed or become emancipated. I pick up after everybody my stepmother does absolutely nothing except order me around, put me down, and praise her kid when he does something wrong, yet shoot me down about it. Is there a way out? There's even more to it, but is there a way I could be taken out of here and live with a friend? I have in the past because they argued very badly and were apart for a while. Please, can somebody enlighten me with answers as to what I can do. They think they can make me do absolutely whatever they want, and I'm too emotionally stress of being forced to do everything. What are my options?

[Dr.Bobby]

How old are you?

You need resolution to these issues, there are a lot of options (based on your age and where you live), but since the issues are (understandably) annoying but not physically harmful, it's doubtful that the situation rises to the level of State action (as in removing you from your home). maybe your first best step is to get some counseling, have an outsider work with you (and them) to resolve these issues.

Since it seems like you're still in school, you might try talking with the school guidance counselor about your situation and let them intervene on your behalf.

[MrsV]

I agree with Dr. Bobby there is help just start by talking to the school counselor and see what she/he sugggest you do. I would also try to talk to your father and see what he has to say and then talk to them both togehter and have a level of communication regarding the things that bother you and how you feel. Let me know if you did any of these things ok