Annie (AKA Hey Terra!) has been around long enough to have experienced a lot of what Life can dish out. But, it hasn’t been so long that she's forgotten what it's like to be your age. Check out some of the thousands of email questions teens from around the world have sent to Terra. You may learn something useful from her answers:
Parents:
“My parents seems to think I'm an adult!”
Hey Terra,
I'm having a problem at home. I'm always working and doing chores. I would for once just like to be 16 and my parents seem to think I'm an adult. How do I tell them that I need a life of my own? Things get even worse on the weekends. Friends get to go shopping while I clean and get yelled at. What should I do?Exhausted
Dear Exhausted,
It certainly sounds like you have been working very hard to help your family keep things running more smoothly. It also sounds like your parents have some very strong feelings about what 16 year olds should be doing with their "out of school" time.
Everyone needs a "break"... that's why most people in salaried jobs only work 40 hours a week! So I agree with you. You do need time to be on your own, having fun with your friends. But it doesn't matter what I think, since I'm not your parent.
I suggest that you talk with your parents... calmly and respectfully. Find out what exactly they expect of you, each week. Make a list of the chores so that you can keep track of them. Tell your parents that you are grateful for all that they do for you and you are willing to complete your chores each week without a fuss. Then ask them, if, AFTER you do your chores, they are willing for you to spend time with your friends?
I hope this helps.
Try it and let me know what happens.
In friendship,
Terra
Need some advice? Write to Terra.
She'll give you a straight answer you can trust without any lectures.
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