there's more to life than books, you know

anyway, just wanted to say that i can totally understand the need ro explain things to yr folks but please please please don't go the route i did and get locked in a series of hopeless attempts to justify yr decision to them. if they aren't ready to hear sth like this (which most parents aren't) then it probably won't matter how reasoned and sensible your arguments are - they won't agree with your decision and you won't be able to convince them that you're doing the right thing. i know i would've been much better off sending my coming out letter and refusing to further explain myself. all that i got out of trying to get them to understand was a lot of extra stress and some awkward visits with clergy and parent-approved psychiatrists. once you've given them a well-crafted letter and a list of resources/people to contact/etc, i think you might be best off letting them know that it's their turn to put in some effort because you've explained yourself as much as you're going to.