As a teenager you are on your way to becoming a fully independent adult. However your parents are still legally responsible for you until you reach your 16th birthday. Every set of parents has their own set of rules of what is acceptable, these are needed to keep you safe and out of harm’s way. For example what is acceptable behaviour, what you can and cannot say, who’s boss and who does what around the house. These rules let you know where the limits are and having grown up with them you should know them pretty well by now.

As you get older you form your own opinions of things and will want to start making your own set of rules for yourself. The key to making this work is compromise! You will have to talk about these rules with you parents or guardians and all come to an agreement. These changes don’t happen over night they will take time and those who can still talk things through with their parents will find this process easier to deal with.

This time of change can be extremely difficult to get through. As you form your own opinions and views on many different things e.g. religion, clothes, smoking, sex there will be many arguments with your parents as more often than not they will disagree. It is important to be calm and reasonable they are only trying to do what is best for you (in their opinion). But negotiate with them and try to reach a compromise, meet them half way. .

If things get really bad, talk to someone outside the family you trust. They can be a friend, older bro or sis, teacher or someone here at y-sort it. Phone 0141 941 3308 for information on Parents and living with them