Parents with their children taking a family selfie in a park.

It’s normal to feel like your parents' sole reason in life is to ruin your fun but the truth is, it’s not! They’re just trying to make it through the day the same as everyone else.

 

*Note: If your parent/carer/guardian is going something to you either verbally or physically that makes you feel uncomfortable or unsafe, it is important to talk to a trusted adult or Childline Listening volunteer.

 

There is no such thing as a perfect parent but for the most part, they want to help you become the best possible person you can be.

That doesn’t mean that you won’t find them extremely irritating from time to time!

So, the next time you feel yourself gearing up for a screaming match with your mam or dad over something trivial, take a deep breath.

Here are 5 reasons why you should give your parents and carers a break:

 

1. They have lives of their own

It’s your parent’s job to protect you from harm and hardship so it’s important to remember that there could be things happening in their lives that you know nothing about.

They might have gotten bad news about a friend, a parent, test results, financial affairs, etc. so keep that in mind the next time you see them seem stressed or sad.

2. They worry about you all the time

Once you reach a certain age, you might feel like you can take care of yourself but to your parents or carers, you’ll always be their child! And yes, we understand that that can be frustrating but if you can, instead of rolling your eyes when they ask you to text when you get somewhere, just do it.

Make sure you always know how you’re getting home at night and keep your phone charged. They’ll sleep easier knowing you’re safe and sound – and be in better form because of it!

3. They’re not mind-readers!

If you’re annoyed or upset about something your parents have done, speak up about it. There’s nothing worse than living with someone who’s furious with you but you don’t know why.

Your parents aren’t mind-readers. Maybe if they know what’s bothering you, they’ll be open to having a conversation about it and it won’t happen again – or at the very least they can explain why they did it.

4. They want to be a part of your life

When you become a teenager, you probably want to hang out with your friends more than your parents and that’s totally natural.

Your parents and carers will understand that but make sure you don’t completely retreat from family life. They’re proud of you and still want to spend time with you and make memories with you. So, even though it might feel like a chore at times, make sure to carve out some time for them – you’ll be really glad you did.

5. They’re doing their best

Spoiler alert: There might be a lot of stuff written about parenting online but every child is different, every parent is human and humans get things wrong every day of the week!

When it feels like you’re going to spontaneously combust with rage at something your parents have said or done, bite your tongue for a second and remember that they’re doing their best. And at the end of the day, that’s all any of us can do.

 

If you need to vent about your parents or home life, call Childline on 1800 66 66 66 or live chat on childline.ie. We’re here 365 days a year, 24 hours a day for a free, confidential and non-judgemental chat about anything that’s going on in your life.

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