Living with parents as a teenager can feel like a full-time negotiation. One minute they’re your lift to wherever you need to be, the next they’re the reason you can’t go at all. We asked teens to share their own take on getting through the teenage years at home, and Katie from Clare sent in her simple survival guide on how to live and deal with parents — funny, honest, and written from the inside.
Here’s her guide, in her own words.
How to Live with Your Parents
Parents are very useful beings in some situations, but they can also be quite the opposite in more! If you’re a teenager trying to figure out how to get what you want without a full-blown row, here are a few things worth knowing.
Remind your parents you’ll be safe
If you want to go somewhere, you often need your parents as a mode of transport — but you also need their permission, which can be denied just as easily. When this happens, remind them of all the reasons it’ll be fine, and tell them you’ll be safe and that no harm will come to you. Trust me, for some reason parents love hearing this, and it’s a great form of persuasion.
Asking permission
Parents can be extremely annoying at times — like when they give you a lecture for doing something, or won’t let you go somewhere you’re dying to go to. Say there’s a disco coming up that all your friends are going to. You dread even asking, knowing the answer will probably be no. Try to put that thought out of your mind, and don’t keep asking over and over — that just annoys them more, and you’ll end up not going at all.
The long summer holidays and chores
Another thing I don’t particularly love about parents is that when the summer holidays roll around, you think you’ll spend the whole time in bed, on your phone, or watching TV — and then parents step in and spoil the plan. They hand you a list of jobs to get done while they’re at work. My Mam gets genuinely excited at the idea that I’ll have it all done by the time she’s home. I find this quite funny, since I have no intention of meeting those expectations! But don’t complain when you’re given tasks — it only encourages parents to give you even more.
Remind them you can be independent
Lastly, if your parents won’t let you go somewhere — a walk or a cycle with your friends, say — just remind them that you’re a teenager now, more mature and independent than before. Don’t shout at them or accuse them of treating you like a baby. That will turn them off the idea completely.
I hope you enjoyed my guide, and that it helps some of you heading into your teenage years. The very best of luck dealing with your (occasionally) annoying parents!
Sent in by Katie O’C from Clare
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best way to ask parents for permission to go somewhere?
Pick a calm moment rather than asking on the way out the door, be honest about where you’re going and who with, and reassure them you’ll be safe. Nagging or asking repeatedly tends to backfire.
How can teenagers show their parents they’re more independent?
Small, consistent things help more than big arguments — following through on chores without being asked, communicating where you are, and staying calm when a request is turned down.
Why do parents give teenagers chores during the school holidays?
It usually comes from a mix of practicality (someone needs to keep the house running) and wanting teens to build responsibility. Doing a share of it without complaint often makes future requests easier to negotiate.
What should a teenager do if a parent says no?
Take a breath before reacting. Asking calmly why, and whether there’s a compromise, tends to get further than arguing or repeating the request.
Related Articles
- Tips for Surviving the Teenage Years as a Parent
- How to Talk to Your Teenager (Without It Turning Into an Argument)
- Building Independence: Letting Teens Take More Responsibility at Home
Want More Ideas Like This?
If this guide gave you a laugh (or a little recognition), there’s plenty more real-life family stories, tips and ideas to browse on MyKidsTime — worth a save for the next time you need a bit of parent-teen perspective.
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