Nothing has a greater impact on our lives than our families. The family is the most powerful unit of society, influencing and shaping every man, woman and child for good or for bad. Unfortunately, there is plenty of pain in families. In fact, people are more profoundly hurt by those in their own family than anywhere else. Parents hurt their children and children hurt parents. Many people carry the wounds and scars they receive in their home for the rest of their lives.

Some of you have a great relationship with your parents, while others find it to be one of the most difficult challenges you face. So many teens and young adults live their lives in total chaos because of the volatility of the relationship with their parents.

I understand that sometimes, especially in abusive homes, there is only so much you can do yourself to bring peace to the relationship with your parents.

However, many times, parents are willing to meet in the middle. Obviously, no one is perfect, including your parents. You have probably come to the realization that your parents are flawed and have at times let you down. Nonetheless, I have yet to meet someone who is bitter toward their parents and happy at the same time. So, for your own sake, learn to make peace whether you feel it's fair or not.

So, as far as it depends on you, what can you do to improve your relationship with your parents? 

Six Things You Can Do to Improve Your Relationship with Your Parents

1. Take Responsibility for Your Part in Your Family

One of the easiest ways to wreck a family is to always blame others when things go wrong. But Dawson, you say, "It’s not me! The bad things in my family are not my fault!" Just remember this, if you are having struggles with your family, most likely you can share the blame.  The part you can control the most is your own attitude.  Do you always have to react with an argument or frustration? Are there times you could choose to just let it go?

Amy commented about how when her parents tell her to do something, she takes a deep breath rather than first argues. "Give them a little help, maybe they need it, maybe they don’t. But either way, it is easier to do what they ask instead of arguing. If they ask you to do something like, clean the kitchen when you have a huge exam the next day, close your eyes, take a deep breath, and then calmly explain that you need to study. Maybe suggest that they help you to get the task done faster. They really do want what is best for you, even if it is hard to see it at times."

2. Learn to Follow Their Advice

When it comes to learning about life, you can greatly benefit from your parents' experience and wisdom. There is no greater teacher than experience. Because of your parent's age, they simply have more years of experience than you, and therefore, often have the ability to identify the people, events, and circumstances that can greatly affect your life.

Many times, they have already been through what you are facing and understand how to react to the situation. While it's humbling to admit, you do not have all the answers to life's situations. Your parents' experience can help you avoid all kinds of wrong choices that cause heart-breaking consequences.

Samantha commented, "I think the best way to have a good relationship with your parents is to respect their opinions even if you don't agree with them. They have been through more of life and know more about the world than you do. They may not always understand your reasons, but they have a point to make, and you should listen to their views. Your parents can teach you a lot of things and keep you from a lot of pain, both physical and emotional, if you will keep an open mind and really think about what they are saying."

Nikki understands this truth, by having learned to listen to her parents. "If you actually listen to what they are trying to tell you and not just blow it off, and think here we go again another lecture, then it will have more of an advantage to you. Your parents just want to make sure you don't make the same mistakes they did. For once, listen to your parents and do what they tell you and see what happens."

3. Spend Time with Your Parents

There was a survey taken a while back that asked parents what would you like most from your teenager. The answer was: I wish they would spend more time with me. Another survey asked teenagers and young adults what they wanted most from their parents. The answer was the same.

Spending time with your parents, and learning to communicate with them, can actually transform your relationship. A girl called my show thanking me for some advice I gave her over a year ago. She was having problems with her mother. I advised her to say this to her mother: "Mom, I want to respect you and learn to love you so much. Let's spend an hour every day just talking." Her mother agreed. A year later, their relationship is awesome. She said to me, "My mother is so amazing. She is my best friend."

It's hard to understand and appreciate someone if you never spend any quality time with them.

Spending time with your parents is a huge challenge, I know. Andrea commented about how difficult this is: "I personally don't have a good relationship with my parents because they are always working, and I have a busy life myself."

Most people have very busy schedules. However, I believe that most parents would make every effort possible to spend more time with their teenage kids if they knew you were open to it. Don't assume your parents know this. You may need to ask.

4. Show Love to Your Parents

Everybody wants to be loved and appreciated. Your parents are no different. It is not enough for you to simply feel love for your parents; you need to express it to them. When you tell them you love them and are grateful to them for all they have done, it will have an incredible impact on your relationship.

Another way to express your love is by accepting their position of authority in your life. Like it or not, they do have the authority, so you need to show them respect even when you think they are wrong.

I understand this isn’t easy. You might be thinking your parents don’t deserve to be loved or appreciated. However, when you make an effort to treat them with love and respect, regardless, God will honor your efforts. You will be glad you did.

5. Seek and Give Forgiveness

No doubt, your parents have offended you at some point. And, most likely, there have also been times when you have disappointed and hurt them. Maybe it was a lie, or a broken promise, or mean words said in a fit of anger. Whatever it is, it’s important for you to forgive and to seek forgiveness.

Listen to my call with Laney who intentionally overdosed on Aleve to see how much her friends actually cared for her. Her parents are practically keeping her locked up in the house because they don't trust her anymore.

When you seek and offer forgiveness for hurt caused in the past, you are saying, "I love you and I don’t want there to be hurt between you and me. I care enough about our relationship to let go of my anger about how I've been hurt and to also recognize the wrong I have done and apologize."

I know that forgiveness isn't easy. It is a process in which by an act of your will, you yield your rights to get even with someone who has wronged you. When you forgive, you let go of the negative emotions that control you. If you don’t forgive the people who have hurt you, you are only asking for a life ruled by bitterness and rage.

Alyssa has some good advice: "When I was growing up and my family was having hard times, I did two things: I prayed and I wrote. I prayed to God to give me the strength to get through the tough times, to help me not be so hostile, and to be the best I could be in every aspect of my life no matter what was going on at home. I am a natural writer so I wrote about my feelings. I wrote about my day, I wrote about how I thought others feel, I just wrote to write. Both things help a lot to get through tough times."

6. Understand Your Parents are God’s Tool in Your Life

From the very beginning, it was God’s idea your parents would be an incredible tool to shape your life forever. It’s God’s plan for your parents to nurture and help you grow physically, emotionally, socially, and spiritually. Parents have the ability to see bad attitudes and weaknesses in your life. Everyone has rough edges and parents can help smooth those out. No one else cares enough or is honest enough to help you in this way. One of the best ways this happens is through the discipline of your parents. Like it or not.

When you are willing to honor and obey your parents, you are honoring their God-given responsibility and role in your life. Sometimes it may feel like obeying your parent's guidelines doesn't make any sense at all. But in the end, most parents love their kids and want what’s best for them. Doing what they ask will be a great way to have a stable life.

Worth the Work

These six ideas I have mentioned in this blog are simple to talk about, but not so simple to practice. I get that. But trust me, if you are willing to do the hard work, it could be life-changing. Remember no matter how difficult your parents may be, it is extremely important you do the best you can do to have a meaningful relationship with them. It will be worth it.

If you are having difficulty in your relationship with your parents, I hope this helps you. But you may still need one-on-one personal advice and communication for your specific family situation. Getting advice from a pastor or school counselor would be a good place to start. Find someone you can trust to talk to about what’s going on at home. Remember, you don’t have to carry it all alone.

PLEASE NOTE: If you are living in an abusive home, you are facing a different issue than what I address in this blog. It is likely that no matter what you do, things will not change. If you are being abused, please know it is NOT your fault.

Find out more here:
What is Abuse
Dealing with Abandonment
What is Verbal/Emotional Abuse
What is Physical Abuse