n case you’ve never thought about it, being a parent* isn’t an easy job.
Maybe your parents have mentioned this once or twice, or maybe you’ve
observed it on your own. Why is parenting so difficult? Partly because it doesn’t
come with a job description—parents often don’t know what to do when their
children (especially the first one) reaches each new phase of life. And some-
times parents make mistakes.
When you were younger and your parents made a mistake, you probably
didn’t notice. You (usually) accepted that they were in charge, and you probably
never considered questioning their parenting skills. As a teen, though, you’re
probably scrutinizing everything they do. When they make an error, you might
be quick to point it out to them. At the same time, they may be pointing out all
of your “mistakes,” such as poor grades or questionable friendships, for exam-
ple. All of this finger-pointing adds stress to the relationship on both sides.
C H A P T E R 6
Getting Along
with Parents
I
*In this chapter and throughout the book, I use the word parentor parentsto indicate the adults you live
with who take care of you. You might not have two parents or even one. You may live with stepparents,
grandparents, foster parents, or relatives. No matter who’s taking responsibility for guiding you through
your first eighteen years of life, they are,in a sense, your parents.
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