by Megan Torres

Created on: January 08, 2009

I am not that far out of my adolescence that I wouldn't remember what it was like. Being a teen is rough especially in this day in age were there are so many things to influence us. We have the media, our friends and our peers and sometimes we let them tell us what we should be doing. And most of what they tell us is that the parents are our enemies, that they want to hold us back and not allow for us to have fun. This could not be further from the truth.

I grew up in a fairly large town, not near any big cities, so it wasn't like we could go to the "city" on the weekend or during the week nights. My high school was the largest in the state, so I had opportunities to meet a lot of people and make a lot of friends, and I did. My friends stayed at school and my family stayed at home. I normally did not have friends over very often, not because I didn't have any, but because I wanted to spend my time with my family. You are probably wondering when I am going to make my point, and it's coming, but first I think you have to understand a little bit about how I came my conclusion.

I was not a perfect kid, and I was probably in trouble with my parents twice a week or more, but still I wanted to spend time with them and my siblings. The time I spent with them has helped with my bond today, even tho I live over a thousand miles from them. I grew up giving goodnight kisses to my mom and dad until the day I moved out (which was the fall after high school graduation), it was just something that we did to let each other know we were at peace and I love you no matter what you have done. That is not how teens today would do that.

A great way for teens to communicate their love to their parent(s), is to take an interest in what they may be doing in their life, not just what you have going on in yours. You can go run errands with them to the mall or grocery store, and talk to them about things, and ask them questions about anything you find yourself wondering. Parents don't need you to kiss them good night, but a random hug would make them feel like you are still their little baby for just a moment and make them happy that they have stuck with you through all your attitudes and phases of life that teens go through. Be nice to your parents because for the most part regardless of what you may think (I didn't believe mine either) they really do want the best for you, and things that they may tell you are just to help you later in life.

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