Parents are often associated with being the bane of our existence while growing up. As children, we sometimes neglect our parents and the relationship we could have with them due to  our adolescent rebellion that hinders a healthy relationship or even friendship with our parents. But the semester is coming to a close and many of us our subjected to moving back home with our parents for the summer.

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College is a defining moment in our young adulthood. Our time living with parents is almost up and we are finally becoming our own functioning person in society. Some parents realize this and start to treat their children like adults when they return home for the summer. Not only is this a crucial turning point in our lives, but also in our parents’ lives. This is the time to become friends with your parents and realize they are not trying to ruin your life as much as you think.

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A big proponent of becoming friends with my parents were my actual parents. They are  pretty cool and understand me better than anyone out there. I do not think you come to this conclusion until you are in a sea full of people who do not know you at all - such as college. There is nothing better than coming back to familiar arms, but like any friendship it is a two way street. Most teens have a hard time realizing this. You have to meet your parents halfway in order to establish a good relationship.

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Your parents are already halfway there...they have been standing in the middle of  this metaphorical road for you since you were born. So the least we can do as children is to start walking in the right direction. If you have a broken relationship with your parents, it is important to try to stop walking in the wrong direction and just turn around and face them. No one knows how far the distance between you and your parents is. But if they are trying to reach middle ground, the least you can do is acknowledge the effort they are putting forth.

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Becoming a friend with your parent can be one of the best friendships you have but you  will never get it if you do not try. The key to this special friendship is to talk. When you are away at college or even graduated, the ties to your parents are really not necessary. Your parents can not raise you anymore and they likely know that. But just because they can no longer raise you does not mean their purpose is done in your life. When you come to this realization is when the friendship can truly start. Life might be rough at certain points but you are going to make it through one way or another. During these rough patches you are going to want those familiar arms to hold you together.

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Not only will you want them for the rough spots, but you will want to tell them about the  smooth sailing too! On the days when the sun is shining down on you a little extra, tell them. After all, a little communication it is natural. It is a really bizarre feeling at first but trust me, you won’t regret trying.