Avoid Talking to Your Parents
Have you ever been mad or really sad because of something your parents have done? Maybe they said no to something that you really wanted, maybe they fight all the time and argue with you all day, maybe you need some space. Deciding not to talk to your parents comes with downsides and risks, but if you're set on the idea, avoiding them is key.
Contents
Steps
- Understand why you want to avoid talking to your parents. Decide if it's really worth it, because if it's not, you could be cutting out a lot of good things! You'll need to avoid their company if you want to avoid having conversation with them.
- Hide a few non-perishable snacks and drinks in a cool, dry place somewhere in your room. Stay in there unless you need to go to the bathroom. You can avoid talking to your parents by staying away from them so they can't engage you in conversation.
- Cut off the conversation when they try to talk to you and don't really listen to them. Remember this is rude and disrespectful. If you are refusing to speak to your parents because you feel that they don't listen to you, not listening to them is unlikely to resolve the issue. Give short, noncommittal answers to any questions they ask, as long as they aren't asking questions which might solve your problem. If they ask if you want dinner or if you'll go somewhere with them, say no politely. Not eating, in the long term, is not advisable.
- Lock your bedroom door. If you don't have a lock on your door, put on some headphones so that you'll have a legitimate excuse for not opening the door.
- Take all of your electronics such as computers, cell phones, video games, and music players, tablets, etc. to your room with you. This way you can still entertain yourself and talk to friends without having to be near your parents.
- Tell your friends not to call your home phone. If they already don't, great. But this way your parents don't have a reason to go into your room or talk to you in any way.
- Think carefully, do your parents give you a ride to school? Ask your friend's mom or dad if you could get a ride... or better yet - walk or ride your bike there.
- Remember, this may not work for you if you share a room and get kicked out by a sibling.
- Spend more time with your friends, especially nearby ones as neighbours.
Tips
- Never feel bad; remember what they did to make you avoid speaking to them.
- Your parents will kind of get a clue that you want to be left alone.
- Be away from home as much as possible. Get a job, extracurricular activity, or play a sport.
- Try to understand the reason why you want to avoid talking to your parents. After all they are your parents.
- If your parents get mad because you're not talking to them, just give up and tell them what made you angry.
- If you don't want to talk to your parents just say I am not going to speak to you right now, try not to be to harmful, and hurt their feelings.
- Avoid eye contact when you walk past them. If they see you looking at them, they will try to start a conversation.
- There's no way you'll avoid talking to them for long. Try to settle your differences instead of giving them the silent treatments. They're adults, not children in a school yard.
- Remember don't become completely trapped in your room. Try to go to a friends house and get out of the house while still avoiding your parents.
- Instead of being trapped in your room, go outside or go over to somebody's house. While going outside, you can feel good too. Remember that friends can be great people to talk to.
- If you can't ignore them don't run away. Almost every problem ever hashed out between a child and his parents can be made worse by the child running away. Talk it out or let it pass.
- If you can go to the library, the park, or another place that may keep you occupied for a while, this is also a great option.
- Try going outside the house to a friend's, the library,etc. If your parents ask where you're going, tell them you have to do a school project in case they don't want to let you go out.
- If they drive you to school have headphones on the whole ride.
- Buy things you want with your own money so you don't look like you need their help.
- If you need anything don't ask them. Remember that you're suppose to be ignoring them. You don't want to give up early, or you'd completely defeat the point.
- Stay busy. Try to be at a friends house whenever possible, a good excuse is "I need to take a shower." Parents won't object because taking a shower is hygiene. Occupy yourself with sports and activities after school and start working on homework or studying. They will probably leave you alone after this.
- If your parents removed all your electronics, you can try and get it back while they are in work.
Warnings
- Your parents might get a little mad for you ignoring them. Remember that although you, as a teenager, are entitled to your feelings and opinions they are also your parents.
- If your parents are very needy, they will make you get up and do things for them. So try to handle the problem by using another sibling, or simply do it without discussion.
- If you are avoiding talking to your parents because you think that after a little bit of the silent treatment they'll let you do/have whatever you want and beg you to spend more time with them, don't. Chances are they'll think you're not mature enough for it. Moody teenagers don't really get what they want too much.
- Do not yell or be rude to your parents. That will give them an excuse to punish you. When you have to, answer them quickly, politely, and quietly.
