Our first question this week is, what is the most important thing a parent can do for a teenager?

Children and teenagers are hugely different. Little kids rely on their parents to feed them, clothe them, pick them up from school, help them with homework, love them, and way more. But as a teenager myself, I know that I can pack my own lunch, buy my own clothes, walk home from school by myself, and be independent. So since we don’t need all the things a child does, what do we need?

I know there’s a point in every teen’s life where they think their parents are the worst thing in their life and they think all their parents want to do is torture them. But your parents can help you a lot; they can teach you things that you need to know to be a successful adult. But that’s the question: what are those things? One of those things, in my opinion, is food. Yes I can pack my own lunch and make my toast in the morning, but I don’t want to, and honestly, don’t know how to, come home from school, do my homework quickly, and then cook myself a big steak supper with potatoes and whatever else I don’t know how to make.

Another important thing is rules. I know when your parents tell you to be in early, you groan and throw a temper tantrum, but they’re just trying to protect you. For me, I don’t have a curfew, it just depends where I am. I think that is a good rule. But one of the things that goes along with having rules is compromising. Your parents usually want to keep you happy, so I think you and your parents need to compromise the rules so you’re all happy.

The one last thing that everyone, no matter who you are, needs is love. Your parents are there for you when you’re in a fight, or you need someone to talk to. They’re the ones who care for you, no matter what the circumstance is. Even if you think they’re trying to ruin your life, they’re just looking out for you.

I think those things are the most important things I need from my parents.

*smotto.