PARENTS

In a perfect world, families would get along perfect.  Mom would knit.  Dad would like all of his daughter's boyfriends.  The brother would listen to nothing but opera all day long.  But get real, this is the 90's.  There are bound to be disagreements between everyone in the household.

This household doesn't even have to consist of mom, dad, two kids, the dog, and a house with a white pickett fence. Families range from single parent, stepparents, grandparents, and just about everything in between.  So what really goes on in family life? If you are like most teens you have disagreements with your parents.  Here is a few situations and solutions!

It's Friday night, you have been dying to go to your best friend's party  tonight.  Your crush and every else in the world is going to be there.  However, you parents forbid you from going even a step towards the party.  What do you do?

        a) sneak out of the house.  It's only a fe hours, they probably won't even notice.

        b) beg and put on the little kid's sad face

        c) listen to your parent's side of the story and try to reach a compromise.

In case you didn't guess, the correct answer would be C.  Your parents don't want you going to strange places they don't or maybe do know about.  You have to reassure them and tell them that you are responsible and wouldn't but yourself in a difficult situation.  Tell them that there will be adult supervision and you'll be home by your curfew.  If this doesn't work, don't pout just start thinking about how to get to that party next Friday night!

The new gym shoes have just come out and you have to have them.  Unfortunately, you have no cash.  You're still saving to be broke.  You know your parent's just got paid, so what do you do?

    a) go in to mom's purse.  She never cleans it out, so she'll think the money is somewhere under the junk.

   b) call up all your family members and remind them you didn't receive a birthday present last month.

   c) volunteer to do odd jobs around the house for pay and/ or borrow the rest of the money from your parents

Again the answer is C.  When you volunteer to do odd jobs around the house, that shows initiative.  Therefore you are already a step towards your parents good side.  The second part to this answer is BORROW.  Don't come flat out and ask your parents for the money.  Start of small and then gradually increase.  Maybe they will even lend you money for that matching outfit to go with the shoes.

You just got your license and what to show everyone you can drive---legally! However, mom says you need more practice before you can drive her car and dad is gone to work with his car. What do you do?

     a) steal the keys.  You're only going around the corner, you'll be back before your mom blinks.

     b) hop on the bus to your friends house and tease her because you have a license.

     c) bring up the fact, that your mom is the one who taught you how to drive.  Therefore since you had the best teacher in the           world, there is no way you can have an accident.  You can even volunteer to run some errands from your mom. 

C, again.  First butter your mom up.  Then prove to her you can drive.  Lastly, take a load of work off of her hands.  A sure plan for you to get the car.

You and your parent just had a major argument.  You are so upset, you know you are right and they are wrong.  But you still are grounded for the next week. What do you do?

     a) for the next week, don't talk or look at your parents.

     b) scream and shout after they put you on punishment, just so you can have the last word.

    c) stop shouting.  Suggest you sit down and discuss the issue like adults.

Once again the answer is C.  When there is shouting, no one can hear what the other side is saying.  In most household's a child shouting at an adult is viewed as disrespectful, so that's a mistake in it's self.  When you approach your parents with respect, more than likely you will get respect.  Both sides should present their arguments and then hopefully come to an agreement.  If not, try to understand your parents and vow not to make the same mistake with your children.

Teen World has presented you with a few common problems that teens and parents have.  However, there are many other issues that affect family life. We have established a few rules that work for just about any situation.

TEENWORLD'S RULES TO GETTING WHAT YOU WANT FROM YOUR PARENTS!

1.  NO shouting! Showing respect for you parent's is a major step in getting what you want.

2.  NO smart remarks.  This only leads to a soft behind!

3.  Don't start a sentence with, "You are wrong", "Everyone else is doing it", "If you loved me,you would...".  All these lines are old and tired.  Your parents probably used them on their parents.  Instead come up with something creative and non-offensive. Try, "I know you love me and want the best for me.  You have taught me right from wrong and I think my decision is a good one."

4. Volunteer to do things.  If you are borrowing money, say you will do jobs around the house until you have paid back the money.  If you are borrowing the car, tell you parents you'll bring it back with a full tank of gas. If you want to go out Friday night, say you'll watch your bratty brother on Saturday so your parent can go out.

5.  If all else fails, try to reach a compromise.  Realize your parents were once teenagers (even if it was in the Stone Age) and they know what you are going through.  They are just trying to protect their precious baby. Don't get upset, because you'll ruin your chance of getting what you want next time!