Talking to your parents
If you live with your parents you might talk to them a lot
Talking to your parents is something you probably do every day or most days. You might tell them about school or friends, ask them questions or get help with something.
But talking with your parents can sometimes be hard!
Sometimes you feel sad, angry or upset. Maybe you don’t know how to talk to your parents about it, so you bottle it up instead.
You might worry what your parents will do or say
If you worry about what your parents think, you’re not alone! Lots of other kids have the same worries as you.
Why it can be hard talking to your parents
You might worry your parents will get angry at you or you might get into trouble. Maybe you think they won’t listen, won’t believe you or you just don’t want to bother them with your problems.
How do you have a good talk with your parents?
Luckily, we’ve got lots of tips to help you! On the next few pages we give you some ideas to make it easier to talk with your parents.
Tip 1: Practice
It can help to plan what you want to say. Try practicing with a friend or a counsellor at Kids Helpline. You could write down what you want to say before you try talking to your parents.
Tip 2: Stay calm
Try to talk when you feel calm and less upset or angry. This helps you tell them what you need to say in a clear way that they can better understand.
Tip 3: Time it right
Find a time when your parents aren’t busy so they can give you their attention. Try to do it when you’re alone or at home. This means they can listen carefully and understand what you are trying to tell them.
Tip 4: Being unsure is ok
Remember, it's ok not to have all the answers! If your parents ask you lots of questions but you aren’t sure about the answers it’s ok to say “I don’t know yet” and together you can figure it out.
