Remember—helping out is an important part of being part of a family. [1] X Expert Source Kathy Slattengren, M. Ed. Parent Educator & Coach Expert Interview. 23 June 2021. Do your chores without being asked to. That eagerness to help will be much appreciated, and will earn you brownie points with your parents. Do more than you are asked. If your daily chore is to sweep the kitchen, start sweeping the hall as well. If you see something needs to be done, go ahead and do it. That will lighten the burden off of your parents and really mean something to them. Help your parents out when you see them working around the house. If your dad is raking the leaves, go grab a rake and join him. If your mom is mopping the floor, take the mop from her and let her get a break. Your parents are doing a lot, and it would make them happy if you were considerate of all that they do.
Do not skip school. This could create a world of problems for yourself and your parents. If you have to miss for something, clear it with your parents first before you miss a day or a few hours of class. Let them know if you are struggling in a subject. It is better to be honest and get the help that you need instead of hiding it or just giving up. This shows maturity and that you really care about your performance at school. Be good in class. You can be a smart, well-graded student and still have issues with behavior. Make sure your teachers only have good things to say about you. This will make your parents happy since you are taking their parenting to heart.
Remember that you do not have to be the best. Do your personal best and push yourself to grow in whatever you are doing, but do not try and be perfect. Your parents will be happy just knowing you are trying your hardest. Try out multiple things. One year you might go out for the volleyball team and not make it. Try and join the art club. You might find your passion in something unexpected. Being open-minded will help you figure out what you like best. If you need help finding a hobby, check out https://www. wikihow. com/Find-a-Hobby.
Do not talk back or disrespect them. If you cannot do something, let them know in a calm manner. Communicate with your parents if something changes. If you have a set curfew and you cannot make it or would like to stay out, let them know ahead of time instead of just disobeying. Always listen. Parents have reasons why they tell you to do things or set rules. Listening to them will help you to understand their reasoning. If you have questions, just ask them and be open to their perspective.
Help them around the house. You are an adult and should pull your own weight. [5] X Expert Source Kathy Slattengren, M. Ed. Parent Educator & Coach Expert Interview. 23 June 2021. Wash clothes, do yard work, or clean up the kitchen without having to be told. Respect house rules. If you know your parents would be uncomfortable with you doing something in the house, then opt to not do it. If they do not like your significant other staying over, then do not invite he or she over after a date. If they do not like alcohol in the house, only drink when you are not home, etc.
Talk to you parents after you have cooled off. If you try and talk to them during the heat of the moment, it could become a big problem. Wait until everyone has calmed down before you try and resolve any problems. Take responsibility for your wrongs. It is easy to blame the other person for doing something to you, but you also must consider how you contributed to the problem. You have to be mature and own up to your mistakes. Being able to do this will keep a happy relationship between you and your parents.
Get out the house so they can have it to themselves. Being able to relax when nobody is around is a treat that they might not be given often. Stay overnight at a friend’s house to give them space to do things they might not be comfortable doing with you around.
Try activities with them you would not have done as a child, like watching R-rated movies that can stimulate conversation or making them dinner. Since you live together, you will have plenty of time to spend together. Try and make it as fun as possible. Learn to confide in them. As a teen, telling your parents about anything in your life probably seemed embarrassing and daunting. As an adult, they will be able to offer you advice that will be quite useful. Your parents have experienced what you are going through and care deeply about you. Letting them be of help will keep them close and make them happy. Look at https://www. wikihow. com/Be-Friends-with-Your-Parents if you need more suggestions.
Do not be defensive. Though you might have had your reasons for doing what you did, it does not make it right. Do not defend yourself to the point where you are not able to learn from your mistakes. Be sincere. Showing that you are truly sorry and not just saying it because you have to will go a long way in making your parents feel as if you understand them. That always makes for a happier relationship.
If you are busy, set up a weekly time for you to talk to them. Having a schedule will make it easier for you to remember that you need to touch base. Text them. More and more parents are picking up their cell phones and texting. Sending them a quick, “How are you?” or funny picture during the day will let them know they are on your mind and still important in our life. If you talk to one parent more than the other, see if you can talk to them both at the same time. That way, you can all connect at once and it will save everyone some time.
If you live far away, video message. Buy a webcam if you do not have one on your computer, or download an app to your phone or tablet if it has a camera. Help your parents to install a program if they do not know how. Take them out and treat them. Though a house visit is nice, try and take your parents out to keep things interesting. Try activities with them that you think they would enjoy like joining classes or finding events around your communities. [9] X Research source
Turn off the radio if you are in the car. Use this as a time to connect with your parents by talking and catching up on your lives. Your parents will enjoy the conversation with you and it will help you to bond on a more mature level. Make a day of it. Perhaps your mother or father has a few stops. Take them to every place, and maybe treat them to lunch or dinner. This is a great opportunity to spend time with each other and it would make your parents very happy if you take advantage of that.
Email them if they are online. This is always a great way to contact your parents. Though it is not as personal as a letter, it is still thoughtful and would make them very happy to know that you are thinking about them. Send pictures in your letters. That way, they can see your face and hang onto the image. If you have children or other family members you live with, send pictures of them as well. This will delight your parents to see how everyone is doing and how the children have grown. Have your kids write letters or make pictures to send them. Your parents would love to hear from their grandkids. It would definitely make them happy to receive a handwritten note or drawing from your children.
Be on the lookout for small tokens if big gifts are out of your price range. Coming home with their favorite candy bar from a trip to the store is still meaningful and will make them feel special. If you are out and see something your parent might like, buy it for them if you can afford it. If your mother likes clothes and you see a blouse that would flatter her, surprise her with the shirt even if there is no occasion. Make them a gift. Hand-crafted presents are always nice. If you can knit, try making your dad a scarf that matches his winter coat or if you are great cook, make them a cake and take it over their house. Put in that extra effort to make sure they know they are loved.
Give them something personal to them. If you dad likes golf, buy him a free day at the course. Get your mother a gift card to a nice restaurant if she likes to eat out. Tailor the gifts to show that you really know your parents and want to make them happy. Make it more than one day of celebrating. An entire birthday weekend of fun activities and attention is a great way to let your parents know you truly care and want to make them feel special. Be creative. Nobody likes to get the same gift every year. Pay attention to your parents current interests. If your mom is starting to drink coffee in the morning, get her a coffee maker one year. Always getting her a sweater would be boring, and the variety would show that you pay attention to her.
If you cannot be with them on that day, send them a gift in the mail. Fruit arrangements or food baskets are a yummy way of showing your love from far away. Make sure your children acknowledge their grandparents. Mother’s and Father’s Day are also for the grandkids. Get them involved so that the whole family is honoring your parents.
If you are an older child, talk to your parents about some problems they may be experiencing. Offering emotional support should not be a one-way street. If your mother is worried about a health issue or your father has stress at work, hear them out and offer them encouragement and any advice you think is helpful. Be appreciative of them. Chances are, your parents do a lot for you and you should be grateful of that. Let them know that appreciate all that they do. Tell them regularly and show it in how you treat them. Do not take advantage of them. It is easy to have a bad attitude with your parents, but it does not make them feel happy when you do so. Do not take advantage of their kindness, patience, and generosity with you. That will cause tension in your relationship.
