How to come clean with your parents

From ArticleWorld

To Come Clean With Your Parents may sound like a very daunting task but it is better to get it done and over with than vacillating between doing it or letting matters slide. The best way to stay safe and be smart is to be open and honest with your parents. Here are some tips to help you start talking about difficult issues.

A few thumb rules

1. Let your parents know that you have something important to discuss with them, something that is important to you. This is a way of preparing them for shocks that you might be about to deliver.
2. Choose a time when you can have their undivided attention, when you can sit down and discuss your problem or issue or whatever is important to you without interference. Do not pick a time when they are leaving for a party or cooking or are otherwise busy. It would defeat the purpose of the talk.
3. If you have taken a certain decision, explain to them why it is important to you (curfew extension, more independence) and listen when they give you their reasons for agreeing or disagreeing.
4. Sometimes you might find it difficult to talk to your parents straight away. In such a case it would be better to talk to another adult who would give you good advice and also tell you how to break the news to your parents.

Do’s

• Be comfortable, be honest and be mature.
• If you have done something wrong, own up. You might have got a parking ticket or bad grades at school; remember it is better for your parents to find out from you than from the school authorities.
• If you make promises, honor them, or else you will lose their trust.

Don’ts

• Don’t start your discussion by whining, yelling, sarcasm or spouting jargon. Speak to your parents with confidence.
• Don’t disregard your parents’ advice because it is the thing to do and everybody in your school does it.
• Do not walk away from the discussion before it is over.