Ironic?

"I just want to be independent! Can't they understand?!" - A girl at a grocery store

I (Catherine) heard this comment when I and my family were walking though our local grocery store (we seem to do that a lot ;). One girl was complaining to another about how (and she was being very loud about it too!) "Unfair" her parents were and how "They don't understand her" and when would they "Let her be herself?"

I've heard similar things all over the place (you don't have to go shopping to hear them!), like, in church! I know! We are in the house of the King of Kings and they are complaining about their parents, while The King is their Heavenly Father! Kinda funny, isn't it? Then wait until you hear (or, rather, read ;) farther down in this post!

So we agree that people complain about their parents, right? Because they are "boring", "don't care", "jailers", "geeky", "weird", "uncool", and, (the worst accusation) "they don't understand!"

These are just some of the things I hear teenagers (both male and female) call their parents! And the thing is, they are telling it to their friend. If you ask your mom or dad "Can you list six names of people you knew in high school that you hung out with?" I am sure that your parents (unless they have good memories with names! ;) can list even four, let alone six (without pulling out the year book!)!

See my point? The friends they are confiding in right know they probably won't even remember, and yet they are talking to them about their family life and the troubles that haunt their every waking moment (like why they can't go to this or that ;).

Strange, no? If you think that is strange, wait until you read on!

To get my point across about this one, I am going to start off with a story:

"Once a girl and her friend (who was also a girl) were walking in the mall, talking about their parents.
'How can they be so clueless?' Asked the first girl.
'I don't know!' Answered the second with frustration.
'I mean, they can't understand that I need to do my own thing now that I'm a teen! I mean, I only have six years until I am nineteen!' The first complained.
'I so totally agree with you! I am becoming less dependant on them and they don't like that so they force me to do stuff, you know? Why can't they just let me be independent? I need to be my own person!' The second stated while walking up to a pretzel shop. The first started to order when the second one nudged her.
'Look! It's the popular girl at school! What was her name?' The first one (who was new to the school) questioned her pal.
'It's Crystal. Oh! Look at her skirt!
'It's so cute!' The first commented.
'Oh no!' The second wined. 'We don't have that skirt! We will be the laughing stock of the school! Quick; hide me so she can't see what I'm wearing!' "

Do you see? The girls are complaining about how independent we need to be and how we should "be our own person", but then once the popular girl (Crystal) walks up (or near them), they start wishing they were what?
More like Crystal.
That doesn't sound very independent to me!
It's ironic if you think about it! :)

You can hear people complaining all the time about their parents, but then they turn around and want to "fit in" with their "pals" at school, church, or any other group they are around.

Here are some ways that parents can be helpful (or any adult that you trust)(notice the word adult).

1. They've Done What You're Doing

Basically, they were a teenager (and "tween")(Tween= pre-teen) at one point in their life. That's the only way to becoming an adult! (unless you know another ;) They know what peer pressure you are facing, what ideas and backgrounds you are going (or going to go) up against, and they know how it felt to be a teen (tween). Sometimes it just takes a little effort to remember, but they can. They understand and are not "clueless".

2. They are an Adult

Pretty simple (and obvious), right? Yet how is it that we forget this so easily?
Since they are adults, they can do stuff you can't! (like talk to the parent of a fellow class mate that is being a complete jerk.) They also have an adult point of view on things and can help you there as well. Adults can help you understand your teachers too, because the teachers are fellow adults.

3. They Face Things Too!

Just because they are adults doesn't mean they don't face trials, fight battles, and have disappointments of their own. So often on movies the parents or guardians are always screaming at their child (or children) and not compassionate about their child's (or children's') trials in life. They seem like they live in their own happy "La La Land" (see Now What?, Part 1 for my definition of "La La Land" ;) and when anything bad happens, they panic. How many people do you see that are actually like that most (or all) of the time? Not many.
So parents aren't clueless to trials, disappointments, and the battles you face with clashing cultures, loosing friends, and other things that hurt!

4. They Want to See You Become Yourself!

On movies they also make parents (or guardians) uncaring about their child's (or children's') hopes, dreams, and wants. They appear to wrapped up in yelling, grounding, or not caring to ever listen to their child (children). It's sad isn't it?
But your parents (or guardians) do care what you are doing with yourself and your life! It's true! That is why they are pushing you to earn better grades in school and work harder at your job or chores! It's not because they don't care; it's because they do.
They want you to fulfill your dreams and try to let you do what you are passionate about (like sports, writing, drawing, and so on)!
Don't let movies tell you otherwise!

So, these are just 4 reasons parents are important for us! They know what you are going though, they are adults, they face challenges too, and they want you to succeed!
Note: If you have any other ideas about how parents (or guardians) are important, please comment (we love it when you do! :)
So, am I the only one that thinks it's ironic that teenagers (and some tweens) want to be independent yet try to fit in with their group of friends (that they more than likely won't even remember in the coming years)?

Princess Catherine WhiteRose ~*~