How to Make Your Parents Happy (Part 2 of 4: As An Adult at Home)

Part 2 of 4: As An Adult at Home

1. 
   Respect your parents. If you are an adult living at home, it can be difficult to balance your independence with your parents authority. Make it easier on yourself by honoring that they have the final say within their own house. This will ease any tension and keep your parents happy.^[4]
   • Help them around the house. You are an adult and should pull your own weight. Wash clothes, do yard work, or clean up the kitchen without having to be told.
   • Respect house rules. If you know your parents would be uncomfortable with you doing something in the house, then opt to not do it. If they do not like your significant other staying over, then do not invite he or she over after a date. If they do not like alcohol in the house, only drink when you are not home, etc.
2. 
   Avoid arguments. You will not always agree with your parents way of doing things, but you must respect it. Do not force your way of doing things on them in their own home. This will just create problems. If you feel yourself getting frustrated, leave the situation before it escalates.^[5]
   

   • Talk to you parents after you have cooled off. If you try and talk to them during the heat of the moment, it could become a big problem. Wait until everyone has calmed down before you try and resolve any problems.
   • Take responsibility for your wrongs. It is easy to blame the other person for doing something to you, but you also must consider how you contributed to the problem. You have to be mature and own up to your mistakes. Being able to do this will keep a happy relationship between you and your parents.
3. 
   Give them space. Your parents spent many years raising you. Now, they probably want some time to themselves. A healthy sense of space from you will keep your parents happy while parenting you as an adult. If they are in a main room watching TV, let them have their alone time. Go to your room and shut the door so they can have their full privacy.^[6]
   • Get out the house so they can have it to themselves. Being able to relax when nobody is around is a treat that they might not be given often. Stay overnight at a friend’s house to give them space to do things they might not be comfortable doing with you around.
4. 
   Befriend them. You are at a different time in your life, as are your parents. As an adult, you can enjoy a relationship with your parents that is not centered around them caring for you, but in getting to know each other on an adult level. Talk to your parents and learn more about them and let down your guard as well. Getting to know you this way will make them happy.
   • Try activities with them you would not have done as a child, like watching R-rated movies that can stimulate conversation or making them dinner. Since you live together, you will have plenty of time to spend together. Try and make it as fun as possible.
   • Learn to confide in them. As a teen, telling your parents about anything in your life probably seemed embarrassing and daunting. As an adult, they will be able to offer you advice that will be quite useful. Your parents have experienced what you are going through and care deeply about you. Letting them be of help will keep them close and make them happy.
   • Look at http://www.wikihow.com/Be-Friends-with-Your-Parents if you need more suggestions.
5. 
   Apologize when you step out of line. Nobody is perfect, and living at home with your parents as an adult might pose some problems. You might do or say something you should not. Always apologize. Your parents do not expect you to always do everything right, and being able to own up to what you did wrong will show character and make them happy.^[7]
   

   • Do not be defensive. Though you might have had your reasons for doing what you did, it does not make it right. Do not defend yourself to the point where you are not able to learn from your mistakes.
   • Be sincere. Showing that you are truly sorry and not just saying it because you have to will go a long way in making your parents feel as if you understand them. That always makes for a happier relationship.