It can be tough to stand up for yourself with your parents. You want to be a good kid, you want them to be proud of you, but you also want to be respected. It’s a difficult balancing act, but it’s one that’s worth mastering. The key is to stay positive and respectful, even when you’re upset. No one wants to listen to someone who’s angry and shouting, so try to stay calm and focused when you’re communicating your needs. Remember that your parents are probably just trying to do what they think is best for you, and they may not be aware of how their actions are affecting you. In this post, we’ll talk about the best ways to stand up for yourself with your parents, and how to stay positive and respectful while doing it.
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Talk to them openly and honestly
Let them know how you’re feeling and what you need from them. You would want to make full use of your words. Do not believe that they know or are supposed to know how you are feeling. This is the first and most important step. It is the foundation that you are using to make your stand known very clearly if you don’t do this there is really little else you can do after.
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Stand your ground
If you know you’re right, don’t back down just because it’s your parents. Of course, you definitely do not expect them to believe or understand simply because you have said something. Naturally, there would still be an element of disagreement because the two parties are on opposite extremes. The trick to scaling this hurdle Is to not back down; continue making your point clearly with all the logical reasoning you can muster.
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Stay calm and polite
Even if they’re being unreasonable, try not to lose your temper. It won’t get you anywhere. Definitely, tempers would surely be flared even if mildly. Try to keep that to the barest minimum as much as possible by being polite. Make sure you think through your choice of words with them adding the element of respect to whatever it is that you are saying.
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Make sure your voice is heard
If they’re not listening, talk to someone else who might be able to help, like a relative or a friend. Make sure, before anything, that you are not wasting your time. Confirm that they are actually listening to whatever it is that you are saying, that is the only way progress can be made.
1 comment
When I was a teenager, it took constant bickering with parents to even go see friends.
I never felt whole in their presence. The protective instincts of African parents are way above normal.
But they sure have advantages for the teenager who is prone to go astray at any time.
Nice post. Reminds me of my teenage years.