It can be a bit difficult to earn your parents’ trust, especially for teenagers when you're in between a sheltered childhood and an independent adulthood. But you don't have to spend all of junior high and high school with your parents distrustfully watching your every move. In order to have some wiggle room at this point in your life, you first need to earn your parents’ trust, and here are a few ways to do just that.
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1. Always Tell the Truth
Even if you think you’ve done something unforgivable, you should always tell your parents the truth. Because if you tell them the good, the bad, and the ugly, you’ll be able to earn your parents’ trust easily! Your parents know that you aren’t perfect, and they don’t expect you to be. But one value I’m sure they tried to instill in you as a child is honesty! So show respect to them by always telling the truth.
2. Do Your Best at School
It’s all right if you don’t get straight A’s or not elected president of your class, because your parents only want you to do your best in school. That being said, you shouldn’t slack off either and say that you "sort of tried." You should always put your best effort into everything you do, and doing this shows responsibility. Also it’s a well known fact that parents are more likely to trust responsible children.
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3. Demonstrate Good Character
My parents and teachers always told me that character is what you do when no one is watching. In a way, this didn’t make sense to me when I was in elementary school because, well, no one is watching! But now that I’m older, I see how important it is to demonstrate good character if you want to earn your parents’ trust. Because, as hard as you try to hide the truth, it usually does come out. So it’s better to just be on your best behavior no matter who is or isn’t watching.
4. Talk to Them
Believe it or not, your parents want to talk to you! If you think they don’t care about your teenage drama and would rather just let you run amok among your own age group, you couldn’t be further from the truth. When trying to earn your parents’ trust, you should make a habit of sitting down and talking with them. That way they’ll get to know and trust this young adult who’s transforming from Disney princess fanatic to high school graduate right before their eyes!
5. Listen to Them
Listening to your parents is just as important as talking to them. I know from experience that sometimes your parents’ advice seems completely irrelevant, because they were young so long ago, but you should pay attention to what they say. Not only will listening to your parents help show that you respect them and their knowledge, but it will also reassure them that you know what you’re doing because you have their morals as your compass! As a result, they’re likely to trust you when you’re out in the world.
6. Don't Go out Every Weekend
If you’re constantly running out as soon as night falls on Friday and Saturday, your parents may grow suspicious about where you are. Step one is to always be honest about where you’re going, but step two is to not be so eager to be out all of the time. It’s okay to spend a quiet night in every once in a while - trust me, your friends won’t suddenly declare you a loser if you do. This will give you a chance to bond with your parents and also to show them that you’re not overly anxious to go out and do anything bad away from home.
7. Introduce Them to Your Friends
If you have been spending a lot of time away from home, your parents will want to know who you’ve been spending all of your time with. Also, since we all act like those we are around, your parents will probably want to know who’s influencing you all of the time. That’s why it would be beneficial to your relationship with your parents if you invited your friends over. But don’t pull them through the door and up to your room right away, take them through the kitchen or living room to meet your parents. This will show that you have nothing to hide, which will surely put your parents’ minds at ease!
There you have it! Seven simple ways to earn your parents’ trust at a point in your life when so many of us fail to do so. Having your parents’ trust will help you a lot throughout your adolescent years. How have you managed to earn your parents’ trust?
Comments
Sidney: Why isnt there a teen tab?
gracie: i don't think they will ever give me a chance with trust, bc im 13 and no matter how hard i try to get their trust it never works, all they will do is make me do things and yell at me, my mom had me at 16 and i understand she doesn't want me to get pregnant at 15, but i think she could give me a little slack just to go over to my friends or guy friends houses for like an hour or 2.
harolyn: Definitely trying this !
gracie: gmail
gracie: #1 im to scared to tell my parents the truth, bc im used to being judged by them when i do something thats not right like going on omegle and sneaking out, so they would say im acting like the w word and h word and b word bc i get along with more boys than girls.
gracie: how can i tell the truth and get along with more girls so that i don't feel judged and so i can be trusted talking to my guy friends?
gracie: #2 how can i do good in middle school, when every bullies me and everything for no reason and causes me to get in fights and arguments everyday, even when i do tell the principal counselors, and parents, and teachers.
Chelsea: Great article. It's sad that people have to be told this kind of stuff. I was raised in a way that these things just happened, my parents always trusted me to make good choices and if I didn't, I learned from my mistakes!
gracie: #4 how do i get them to let me talk when all they will do is not listen or yell?
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