How to show the parents you're not too young!

Doesn’t it sometimes seem like your parents are trying to ruin your life? They always want to know what you're doing, who you're doing it with, and when you'll have done it! Half the time they won't even let you do anything you want to because, they reckon, "you're too young."

If you were asking to borrow the car, then being too young might be a valid answer. But what if all you want to do is pick out your own clothes or hang out with new people? You're not 5 years old anymore. You want to be more independent and make your OWN decisions!

First things first. To get your parents to give you more space, you need to prove yourself. They aren’t going to let you redecorate your room if when they say no, you start screaming and throw yourself on the floor.

Decide what's most important to you – being allowed to go to the movies with your friends or redecorating your room? Don't ask questions when your parents are busy. If your mum is working and your dad is cooking dinner, they’re less likely to listen to you. Try talking to them at dinner time or just ask them for some time to talk.

Want to go a new friend’s house? If your parents are hesitant to let you go, invite her to your house first. Your parents will get to meet her and will understand why you want to hang out with her. If they still won't let you go to her house, respect their decision and don't harp on it.

When itcomes to makeup or clothes , parents tend to have strong opinions about what their little princess is running off to school wearing. Explain that you want to start experimenting with makeup. Find some make up ideas and show them to your mum or dad and see what they say. If they'll only allow you to wear makeup at home, try out some understated looks but keep on experimenting. As for clothes, the next time you go shopping with your mum, show them the clothes YOU like.

If they're not footing the bill for your new sparkly eye shadow or hip hugger jeans, see if you can do some extra chores around the house. They'll see that you're willing to give a little to get a little.

Think about why it’s important to you and explain it to your parents. That way they won’t just think that you are asking to do something because all your friends are into it. Present them with examples and ideas of how you'd use your new independence – like how you'd redecorate your room or the clothes you'd pick out.

Don't ask for too much and respect your parents' guidelines. Some independence will just have to wait – and it will all come quickly enough.

Your independence will shape the kind of woman you become, so use it wisely!