Ask your parents to go for a walk with you. Stay at the table with your parents after dinner to talk. Instead of turning on a movie or TV show, sit with your parents and start a conversation. Finding a proper time and a proper tone can be helpful for successfully delivering your message.
Having friends over for a movie night once a month. Going to a friend’s birthday party. Grabbing a pizza with friends after soccer practice.
If your parents express concern over a friend’s driving, try responding with, “Tommy can get a little distracted when driving, but I don’t think he has any tickets. If it makes you uncomfortable than I won’t ride in any car he’s driving. Jacob is a very responsible driver, I promise to ride with him any time we go someplace. ” If your parents are worried about the type of language a friend uses, help reassure them that it’s not influencing your behavior: “I’m sorry you’ve heard her using inappropriate language. I don’t talk that way and I’ll make sure she understands what is and isn’t appropriate to say in the house. ” If your parents know that a friend smokes, you need let them know that it doesn’t affect your choices. “I know Sam smokes, and I don’t like it either. But he is still a good, trustworthy friend and doesn’t smoke around me. ” If you do have a friend that smokes, try talking to them about quitting![3] X Research source
Let your parents know if your friends help you in school: “Susan is great at math and helped me study today at lunch. ” Tell your parents when your friend supported you: “Matt ran with me when I started falling behind at track practice today. ” Remind your parents that friends help you have fun: “I was laughing so hard today when Jess did a spot-on celebrity impression!”
If you’re trying out for a new sport, tell your parents, “She’s a star on the basketball team and is helping me practice for tryouts. ” If you are interested in joining a new club, say, “He’s signing up for the yearbook committee too. ” If you have a new goal, let your parents know, “We both want to go to college for biology. ”
Do not scream at them about how unfair they’re being. Do not resort to name calling. Do let them know that you’re upset with, but will respect, their decision. Assert your feelings about their decision but let them know that your relationship is important to you. Do tell them that you hope this is something you can discuss again in the future.
