1. Respect Your Parents!
(I knew you were going to love this one). In other words, respect means that you should listen to your parents even though you may not agree with everything they have to say. Respect does not mean that you do not have your own feelings or opinions. Nor does it mean that you do not have your own ideas. However respect means that you understand that your Mother, Father, Grandparents, Godparents, Guardians love you and want what is best for you. Even though some of their beliefs might seem extreme, the most important people in your life want you to learn from their experiences. Your parents want you to be happy and they want you to be successful. Many times parents have a difficult time with what or how to express their thoughts so they either avoid the topic or come off preachy. Such lack of communication does not mean that the most important people in your life love you any less. It just means that at times they do not know the best way to express it. Another key aspect of respect is to be aware of what and how you say things. I am sure you have heard your parents say to you at one point or another to watch your mouth. One of the quickest ways to break the lines of communication with someone you love is to let your mouth get you in trouble. I guarantee you that you will not get the response that you want. In fact, you will probably further lose the respect of that loved one. For example, you can forget about the car for the weekend, going to that football/basketball game or having your phone to text. Which I know you can not live without. Can you imagine a day without text messaging? Parents do not respond well to teens who communicate in a disrespectful manner. OK, let's move on.
2. Cut Your Parents Some Slack!
By now you are at the age where you understand that some of the things that your parents say they are going to do they often do not follow through with them. Believe me I know this can be upsetting. A lot of times your parents are tired, forget, or are just overwhelmed. Yes, they are your parents but the truth is they make mistakes too!!! So the next time your parents forget to do something, give them the benefit of the doubt. Understand they often don't deliberately do what they say they are going to do.
By now you are at the age where you understand that some of the things that your parents say they are going to do they often do not follow through with them. Believe me I know this can be upsetting. A lot of times your parents are tired, forget, or are just overwhelmed. Yes, they are your parents but the truth is they make mistakes too!!! So the next time your parents forget to do something, give them the benefit of the doubt. Understand they often don't deliberately do what they say they are going to do.
3. Treat Your Parents the Way You Want to be treated!
Isn't that the golden rule. . . If you want them to treat you nice, treat them nice. If you are asked to do chores, you should do them without any hesitation. It is really worth an argument or not being able to hang with your friends because you did not wash the dishes or take out the garbage? I am sure most teens would rather be hanging out with their friends not stuck in the house because they did not finish their chores. Parents want their kids to be responsible and so they teach them at an early age by assigning chores. The parent-child relationship is a give and take bond and should be cultivated early on. Thus, treat you parents like you want to be treated.
Isn't that the golden rule. . . If you want them to treat you nice, treat them nice. If you are asked to do chores, you should do them without any hesitation. It is really worth an argument or not being able to hang with your friends because you did not wash the dishes or take out the garbage? I am sure most teens would rather be hanging out with their friends not stuck in the house because they did not finish their chores. Parents want their kids to be responsible and so they teach them at an early age by assigning chores. The parent-child relationship is a give and take bond and should be cultivated early on. Thus, treat you parents like you want to be treated.
4. Always Be Honest With Your Parents No Matter What.
I know some of you feel like DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince, that your Parents Just Don't Understand. Hey, sometimes they don't but the last thing you want is to be is dishonest with them. Honesty is key, so no matter what you did or how you think your parents will react, it is always best to tell the truth. Let me warn you: In the beginning it may seem like telling the truth is not the best option. But it will always be the best thing to do and here is why. Your parents will always respect you if you are honest but NO ONE respects a liar. If you are honest from the start you don't have to lie to cover up the original lie or feel guilty about not telling the truth.
I know some of you feel like DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince, that your Parents Just Don't Understand. Hey, sometimes they don't but the last thing you want is to be is dishonest with them. Honesty is key, so no matter what you did or how you think your parents will react, it is always best to tell the truth. Let me warn you: In the beginning it may seem like telling the truth is not the best option. But it will always be the best thing to do and here is why. Your parents will always respect you if you are honest but NO ONE respects a liar. If you are honest from the start you don't have to lie to cover up the original lie or feel guilty about not telling the truth.
5. Teach Em!
Sometimes your parents can learn a thing or two from you. You can actually teach your parents! Parents know a lot but not everything. So, you can teach them without coming off like a know it all or disrespectful. For example, lets just say that your goal in life is to be a professional athlete and you have a scholarship to play but your parents do not believe that you will be successful in your attempts. You explain to them you understand their concerns, but you also know how important it is to your follow your dreams. Sharing with your parents your goals helps them to understand who you want to become. This also allows them to trust your judgments. Thus, teaching them that you are serious about your future. When you communicate to your parents effectively, they can learn from you that you are serious about your future and you are determined to be successful. The best way to teach them is to show them!
Sometimes your parents can learn a thing or two from you. You can actually teach your parents! Parents know a lot but not everything. So, you can teach them without coming off like a know it all or disrespectful. For example, lets just say that your goal in life is to be a professional athlete and you have a scholarship to play but your parents do not believe that you will be successful in your attempts. You explain to them you understand their concerns, but you also know how important it is to your follow your dreams. Sharing with your parents your goals helps them to understand who you want to become. This also allows them to trust your judgments. Thus, teaching them that you are serious about your future. When you communicate to your parents effectively, they can learn from you that you are serious about your future and you are determined to be successful. The best way to teach them is to show them!