At one point in your life, you've probably been irritated by your parents' rules or neverending nagging. Growing up with strict parents can be especially challenging. It's taken me my entire life to figure out how to live with them, and even now sometimes, it's still a struggle. For those who suffer from parental oppression, here are 10 ways to endure overbearing parents.
1. No means no.
Want to do something and the parents say no? We've all been there. If you have strict parents, remember whatever you do, don't argue! That "no" for the day will turn into a "no" forever, and don't even bother to continue asking since all it does is annoy your strict parents. They'll focus their attention on other things that you're doing "wrong". Trust me, you'll be better off in the long run by just keeping quiet and accepting the rejection of your plans the first time.
2. Plans? What's the itinerary?
"Where are you going? How are you getting there? Who will be there? Will so-and-so's parents be home? What time are you coming home?"
When you want to make plans, make sure you have answers to any and all questions on the logistics of your plans before even going to ask your strict parents. This includes where you will be, when you will be there, addresses, names of who you're going to be with (sometimes with a description of how/where you know them if your strict parent has never heard you mention them before), and what you are doing.
If you don't give your strict parents a detailed description of your plans, you might as well kiss them goodbye. Also, never leave asking to go out to the last minute. Give your strict parent at least two to three business days advanced notice.
3. Keep everything open.
Talk to your strict parent about your life, your friends, and school. The more you talk to your parents, the more they'll trust you. When they ask you how your day went, don't just say "good" and go to your room. Give them details! Telling your strict parents about your life will prevent them from snooping to find out themselves.
Pro Tip: Tell your strict parent about any tests or upcoming due dates. This will help them see that you take school seriously. They'll most likely start asking you how things went on days they know you have a test or have to hand something in.
If you know you completely bombed a test when they ask you about it, tell them how difficult it was and that you don't know if you did well or not, but that you tried your best. That way, when the grade comes through, they won't be surprised or as angry that you got a poor grade.
4. Don't lie!
You shouldn't lie to your parents in general, but when you have a strict parent, lying is pretty pointless. If your strict parent asks you a question, tell the truth because, most likely, they already know everything and are testing your honesty. Strict parents are kind of like ninjas; they see and hear all. No matter how hard you try to hide something, they know EVERYTHING.
Trust me, you don't want to be caught in a lie by a strict parent.
5. Respect rules.
Ever hear the famous phrase, "My house, my rules"? There isn't a handbook on strict parents. Every strict parent is different from the next, but learn your strict parents' rules and abide by them. Do the things they ask you, even if you really don't want to do it. Kids with parents that are more chill about stuff can get away with not doing things they're told. However, strict parents mean it when they tell you to do something, so just do what they ask and save yourself the trouble.
This also works when you're trying to make plans. For example, you really want to do something, but you know there's no way your parent will let you do it. Don't even bother asking and potentially starting an argument.
6. "It's a privilege, not a right" complex.
Responsibilities are earned in a strict parent household. You have to prove you're mature enough to handle it. Good ways of doing this are keeping grades up or keeping a clean room. When it comes time to start driving, show them you're responsible enough to drive a car by getting a job to pay for gas money or car insurance by yourself.
7. Learn the Strict Parent Code.
Every strict parent is different, so observe and study yours. This takes trial and error, but watch how they react to different things that you or a sibling says, so you can differentiate good reactions versus bad ones. This way, in the future, you can eventually talk to your strict parents and avoid saying something that will cause any bad reactions.
8. Manners and behavior.
Any kid growing up with a strict parent will know the saying, "Children are to be seen and not heard." Keep this in mind, always. One of the most important things to any strict parent is having a child who behaves in a mannerly fashion when out in public.
This doesn't just go away as you get older. Acting out in public as a teenager and even a young adult will get you an earful from your strict parents. I'm sure plenty of you have gotten told, "I didn't raise you to act this way."
9. Keeping on track.
Remember your priorities, or at least your parents' priorities for you. Grades are big here; let them slip and you'll be in deep trouble. That's not to say you have to be a genius or something, but schoolwork and grades are expected to be acceptable. This goes for social aspects of your life as well. Your strict parents have certain social expectations when it comes to boys, parties, drinking, etc. Make sure you're flying straight or they will.
10. Be patient.
I know how frustrating it can be having strict parents, being 19 and still having a curfew at 11 P.M., but keep your cool. The older you get, the more liberties you will inevitably have. Also, keep in mind, your strict parents only want what's best for you.
