[Greenie]

I have a casual job at a large retail store and I usually work Friday nights and weekends, but sometimes I'll get a shift that is from 6.30-10pm when I have school the next day. I don't have to wake up particularly early for school - usually only at 7.30am as I live nearby. Mum has been nagging at me about this for awhile, but lately is constantly threatening and nagging at me to change my availability so I don't get rostered on during school days. I think her old excuse is 'because I get too tired,' but I'm often tired due to other causes (I have a lot of mental health issues that contribute), not entirely because I have worked. All I do at work is tidy up and fold clothes really anyway, it's pretty low-energy and low-stress. I am in year twelve, but I always get my homework done, and usually if i know I have to work I get it done more quickly and efficiently. When exam period starts I will probably cancel all my shifts temporarily, but for now, I'm fine.

She is being so insistent that I hand in the form to change my availability, that she says if I don't she'll fill the form in herself (she forced me to give it to her) and hand it to the front service desk. And she will cancel the two 'Wednesday' shifts they've already given me, which I really need because I'm short on money. Because I'll be 18 on the 29th of April, would she legally be able to do that?

Also, the reason I can't just change my availability so that I can't work school days is because I hardly get any shifts as it is, I'm short on money because I have to pay for some of my own expenses as it is (driving lessons, camp..) and I badly need to earn as much money as possible so that I can become independent and move out away from my crazy family asap after I finish school. Also once I turn 18 I'm going to get even less shifts because I'll be too expensive to pay, and giving my work an even more limited availability isn't going to help.

I don't know what to do to convince my mum, she's extremely controlling and whenever I try to ask 'why' any more she says it is 'not negotiable' or rudely gives her reasons then she won't listen to me when I tell her why those reasons don't apply to me. Work does not interfere with my school or sleep, why must it be so unfair?