Parents' homeschooling roles change with older kids. Younger children ask questions, and the parent answers or helps find answers. The process we developed involves both teenager and parents in making decisions. At first, some teenagers, especially new homeschoolers who are used to having no say in their education, may be apathetic. Ours initially were.
Persistence pays off, though.
Our kids improved markedly with repeated exposure to the process. To begin the planning an eclectic curriculum, we would first sit down and list the kid's current activities, academic and non-academic. Next, we brainstormed the kid's current interests, goals, and priorities. That question was usually met with a blank stare. Instead, I would try to be more concrete.