Article: A conversation about your friends is one that you want your parents to take seriously, so make sure you treat it that way. Don’t ask your parents in the middle of cooking dinner or right as you’re heading out the door to school. Look for, or help create, a good time to talk.  Ask your parents to go for a walk with you. Stay at the table with your parents after dinner to talk. Instead of turning on a movie or TV show, sit with your parents and start a conversation. If your parents are concerned about your friends, then immediately expecting them to let you go on an overnight trip somewhere isn’t going to happen. Think about something specific and start by discussing that.  Having friends over for a movie night once a month. Going to a friend’s birthday party. Grabbing a pizza with friends after soccer practice. Talking with your parents can be stressful, especially when it’s about a difficult topic. When emotions take over a conversation we tend to become angry or forget what we wanted to say. Practice the conversation in front of a mirror or write down what you want to say. This will also show your parents you’re serious about this conversation. Ask your parents why they don’t like your friends. You can’t convince your parents you have good friends unless you know what they dislike about them. Once you hear their concerns, you will be able to address the issues.  If your parents express concern over a friend’s driving, try responding with, “Tommy can get a little distracted when driving, but I don’t think he has any tickets. If it makes you uncomfortable than I won’t ride in any car he’s driving. Jacob is a very responsible driver, I promise to ride with him any time we go someplace.” If your parents are worried about the type of language a friend uses, help reassure them that it’s not influencing your behavior: “I’m sorry you’ve heard her using inappropriate language. I don’t talk that way and I’ll make sure she understands what is and isn’t appropriate to say in the house.” If your parents know that a friend smokes, you need let them know that it doesn’t affect your choices. “I know Sam smokes, and I don’t like it either. But he is still a good, trustworthy friend and doesn’t smoke around me.” If you do have a friend that smokes, try talking to them about quitting!
What is a summary of what this article is about?
Find a good time to talk. Set a reasonable goal. Plan what you want to say. Address their concerns.