1. Life’s Not Fair. Such an obvious fact to an adult but extremely elusive to a teenager. Life may be unfair but at home there should be some semblance of justice. Whether life is fair or not, it ought to be – at least at home. And as-far-as life away from the home, most students feel parents should have the supernatural power to bring justice wherever needed.
2. I Don’t Care Who Started It. “Who started it” matters greatly. Because whoever was the culprit is the one who deserves to suffer the consequence. How would you feel if your boss cut your pay because of the inconsistencies of a coworker.
3. Don’t Use That Tone With Me! Parents need to understand that teenagers will have real, human reactions to the totalitarian rule over the students life. Learn to appreciate that your student is still in your life. Why do so many parents insist on smiling faces as they endlessly list a child’s shortcomings?
4. When I Was Your Age. Students utterly loath comparison of your teen years to theirs. Your experience matters very little. The definition of experience means you have to go through “it” yourself. Learn to embrace the process, even in the life of your student.
5. Instead of Going Out, Why Not Bring Your Friends Here. Such a horrifying thought. Unless you have a theater room, detached from the main house, that would make Steven Spielberg jealous, you’ll never get the reaction you are looking for. You would also have to disappear for the duration of the friends stay.
6. You Are Just Taking This Too Serious. Earth-shattering is how a teenager sees every disruptive event in their life. If you real “loved” them you would understand how serious things are. Forget that after a good cry and a glass of milk they may forget why they were initially overwhelmed. In the moment “it” is the only thing that matters.
Great advice. Will keep these things in mind. Thanks for sharing!!
I will be sure to show my parents this!