High school can be really stressful -- to say the least. Our weekly "Hey, It's OK!" series is here to remind you of all things you SHOULDN'T be worried about, no matter who tells you otherwise!
If you often have the feeling that your parents just don't understand, you're not alone. Fighting and disagreeing with Mom and Dad is almost as universal a high school experience as hating gym class. And unfortunately, having a love-hate relationship with your 'rents -- you love when they're there for you when you're sad, and you hate when they ground you for something completely unreasonable -- can add to your anxiety levels and make being at home more stressful.
Although there's no magic formula for having a totally stress-free relationship with your parents, there are a few things to keep in mind when you start getting worked up about your latest tiff with Mom or Dad. Instead of cursing the fact that you weren't born into a different family, scroll through the list below for five reasons not to worry about your less-than-perfect family dynamic -- and remind yourself that your parents might not be as bad as you think.
1. You're starting to figure out who you are -- independently of your parents.
Finding your own identity is the whole point of being a teenager, and it's inevitably going to cause some friction between you and your parents. You're changing all the time -- discovering new interests, going through major milestones, and finding out what's really important to you in life -- and a big part of that change is starting to branch away from your parents and become more independent. And while you're pulling away, your parents are holding on to the child they love; of course there's tension! Remembering that it's all a part of the growing-up process can help you to not blow things of proportion.
2. Your parents just want what's best for you...
...Even if it doesn't seem like it. You may hate when your parents pressure you to get good grades or ground you for breaking curfew, but try to remember where they're coming from. It's their job to protect you and try to ensure your happiness. Ultimately, they just want what's best for you -- but that doesn't mean you won't disagree about what exactly that is!
3. Your relationship will eventually change.
When you're in your teen years, a lot of things are changing. But fortunately, once you leave for college or begin your adult life, things should smooth over. When you've gotten through the tough stuff of navigating the transition from childhood dependence on your parents to adult independence, you may be able to enjoy a totally new kind of relationship with them.
4. Your parents get what you're going through more than you might think.
Not matter how uncool they are now (don't worry -- we all have embarrassing parents), your folks were teenagers once too -- and they went through a lot of the same ups and downs that you're going through right now. They get it, and they're just trying to help you get through the roller coaster that is high school as painlessly as possible, even if their efforts are misguided.
5. At the end of the day, they'll always be your family.
And family means nobody gets left behind, or forgotten. You may not appreciate your parents all the time, but try not to forget that they're the ones who will always be there for you. Trust us -- they really do love you.
Tell us: Do you get along with your parents? How do you cope when your family is fighting? Tell us in the comments or tweet @HuffPostTeen.
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