LIFE

My parents invade my privacy. They barge into my room, listen in on my phone calls, read whatever is on my desk, open my mail, and go through my drawers.

My brother got messed up with drugs, which is why they are overprotective, but I'm a good student and I haven't given them any reason to be suspicious. So it bugs me that they keep bugging me.

—My Room Is Not A Garage Sale

Dear M.R.I.N.A.G.S,

Your parents may think they are snooping for your own good, but enough already! Don't scream "Leave me alone." Do remind them that you are a good kid who is not hiding anything, and that it hurts when they act like they don't trust you. Say that you understand their concerns, but you and your brother are separate individuals, and also that you'd never read their letters or walked into their room without knocking. (Right?)

Can you be more open so they have less reason to be curious or worried? Instead of saying, "I'm going out," say, "I'm going to Lily's to do our science project." When you come home instead of racing to your room, spend a minute saying hi to your parents. By the way, lots of girls have similar complaints, and if I were writing your parents instead of you, I'd tell them to give you a break!

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by Carol Weston | 4/27/2019