Have you tried broaching the subject with your parents? I know it sounds ridiculous, but you'd be surprised how things work out when you're honest with them. Just be sure your grades are good and that you're getting all of your chores done regularly first, then they can't say that it's negatively effecting you. (Especially if you didn't do these things before.) I tried this approach, and I was pleasantly surprised.
As for your stretch problem. If you are growing them in jello cups I imagine they're still very small. Are the embryonic leaves still the biggest ones on the plants? If so, that's natural. They shoot up for awhile, then they relax and start growing their first real leaves. If you're really nervous about it, put some more soil around the stem. This will give them support so they don't fall over.
If you can't fit anymore dirt on the cup without it falling out, do what I did. Get a toothpick, sewing needle, sturdy twig, whatever, and tie your plant gently to it, right under the leaves, with dental floss.
If your plants are older, let's say four sets of leaves, with the embryonic round leaves being the smaller ones now; you can transplant.
Get a deep-ish container. (I use Folger coffee tins and halved milk jugs.) Punch draining holes in the bottem. Fill it with good soil. Then bury your plant up to it's bottom leaves. Bam! You now have a much shorter plant, with no harm done to it. So long as the leaves are uncovered and there's at least an inch of soil under the roots, you're good to go. (At least in my experience.)
Bonus points if you turn the soil with water in the container before you plant it. I don't know if not doing this has any negative effects, but I've never had a bad transplant. No shock or anything. So I'm either incredibly lucky or I'm doing something right.
Good Luck!
Thanks for your help, i might prop them up like you suggested passion. they have been growing for only a week or so now. Thx for the update guys. im well aware of the risks involved.
