<p>Sheltered? Yes and no, I guess. </p>
<p>Started homeschooling in 2nd grade.
Took classes 1 to 2 days a week outside the home since then.
Did pageants as a pre-teen, locally, and nationally.
Started acting at 12, has done 2 to 3 plays a year, every year.
Interned at an Atlanta theater at age 15, making costumes. Worked with college students, none of whom realized that she was younger.</p>
<p>On the other hand, she has had a middle class, christian, suburban upbringing, and hasn’t shown any interest in dating yet… so in some ways, she is a little sheltered, but she is not shy or timid. </p>
<p>I guess 17 isn’t that young to be a highschool freshman, being from NY, I was given the option to leave HS early and go to college, but I decided to have a party year. I would have also been a young 17. Here in GA, it seems like kids aren’t starting college until they are almost 19. I guess that is what throws me. </p>
<p>Of course the fact that she has been homeschooled I think has insulated her dad from a lot of teenage angst. They are really close, and she is still his little girl. I can’t be mad at him for wanting her close.</p>