If I were to ask you to think about your relationship with your parents now, how would you describe it?
Is it filled with bliss? Do you think you have the best parents in the world, ones who really understand you?
If you manage to answer “yes” from the bottom of your heart, then I’d say you’re extremely lucky.
But if your answer is “no”, fret not, you’re not alone.
Many teenagers actually don’t have the best of relationships with their parents.
Oftentimes, they will find themselves bickering just 5 minutes into a conversation.
Which is quite a clear sign of a sour parent-child relationship.
If this is the kind of relationship you have ongoing with your parents, then this article will be able to help you improve it!
Read on to find out more.
1) Be Responsible on Your Side
It’s very easy to spot mistakes committed by others, but spotting your own mistakes is the hardest.
Most of the time when you ask people who just had an argument, they tend to blame the other party instead of finding fault in themselves.
However, in most cases, both parties are usually at fault.
So, what I’m trying to say is, you probably have your share of blame when it comes to the sour relationship between you and your parents.
And you should fix the damage on your part.
Maybe you can first start by changing your attitude towards your parents, since it’s something within your control.
If you feel extremely frustrated and angry when your parents ask you for favours, like washing the dishes, taking out the trash, helping them with technologies, etc.
Then it’s time to learn to be more patient and help them instead of lashing out your frustrations on them.
Over time, you may notice that your parents are more patient towards you as well!
2) Spend More Time With Your Parents
Do you think it’s possible to get to know your parents more without spending quality time with them?
Well, the answer is no.
Time and patience are needed when it comes to nurturing good relationships between parents and children.
By spending time with your parents, you can get to communicate with them and perhaps open up about what’s ruining your relationship.
And now you might be thinking, “But going out with my parents is so boring.”
I beg to differ on that.
Going out with your parents can be a lot of fun if you put in the effort to plan on the activities to do.
You can plan on a trip to the beach, amusement park, or anything that revolves around the word fun.
Trust me, wonderful memories that can be talked about for years to come will be forged if you bother to make the effort to go out and have fun with your parents.
3) Follow Your Parents’ Advice
When it comes to who has more life experiences, it’s definitely your parents.
Your parents have been around longer than you have.
Just like you, they have gone through their fair share of struggles while growing up into adulthood.
When you open up to your parents, I’m pretty sure they’ll find things that are a negative impact on your life.
Naturally, you might find them nagging at you.
And yes, it can be rather annoying to live your own life based on your parents’ experiences, but I’m sure the advice they give will be able to save you from a lot of trouble and consequences.
After all, no parent wants their child to do badly in life.
4) Accept Your Parents’ Flaws
I’m sure you’ve heard the saying “Nobody is perfect.”
“Nobody” includes your parents.
I feel that in most cases, children expect their parents to be perfect.
Children expect their parents to be able to get them whatever they want and do whatever they can to make them (children) happy.
However, everybody has flaws and shortcomings.
Your parents aren’t robots who can do things perfectly as programmed to.
They’re humans.
5) Change Your Thoughts
As mentioned earlier, it’s very easy to find fault in others, but it’s difficult to find fault in yourself.
When you find fault in someone, you tend to judge them because of it.
In order to build a better relationship with your parents, you need to first think of them positively and accept them for who they are.
To be more accepting, you should watch your thoughts and pay more attention to your parents’ strong points.
This way, you’ll fix your mind into thinking in a non-judgemental and more positive, accepting way.
For instance, your parents may have a “never give up” attitude when it comes to going to work everyday so you can live a comfortable life.
Isn’t that something worth admiring?
6) Put Yourself in Their Shoes
How would you feel if you know that you’re constantly being judged and not getting accepted for being yourself?
Feels bad right?
Which is why you should not judge your parents for all their wrongdoings.
Realistically speaking, your parents did not have any prior experience being a parent before having you.
Hence, they’re bound to commit mistakes and have some wrongdoings since it’s their first time being parents.
With that said, you should keep an open mind and accept your parents’ mistakes.
7) Show Your Parents that You Love Them
Nobody wants to feel unappreciated for the efforts that they have put into a relationship.
That includes your parents.
Your parents have sacrificed a lot behind the scenes in order to give you a good life as you grow up.
Many of their sacrifices can’t be seen in fact.
For example, when your parents notice that you’re still hungry, they’ll give you their food despite them still feeling hungry.
Another example would be that no matter how tired your parents are, they’ll still head to work just so that they can earn money to pay for your necessities and needs.
Since all these sacrifices are done behind the scenes, it’s very hard to notice and appreciate them for it if you’re not sensitive enough.
Which is why you should show your parents that you love them as a form of appreciation.
You can display your love by cooking them a meal, buying them their favourite food, going to the cinema with them, etc.
By doing these activities, I’m pretty sure your parents will be able to feel your love and be rejuvenated!
Conclusion
Relationships between parents and children can vary from family to family.
What works for others might not work for you.
But I’m sure with the tips given, you’ll be able to fix your relationship with your parents and elevate it to greater heights.
The memories you’re going to forge with your parents are surely going to be exciting ones!
Looking forward to seeing more wholesome families after publishing this article.
Thanks for reading!
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