HEY MIKE! I can’t seem to get along with my parents. It seems as if I constantly lose my cool and get angry with them. What should I do?
—J.D., Durham, N.H.
First, try to figure out what’s making you mad and why you clash with Mom and Dad. Often it’s a matter of an unresolved issue: Maybe you feel as if they say no to your requests for later weekend curfews. Perhaps you feel as if they side with your brother or sister during disagreements. Or could it be a privacy issue? Do you need them to back off and give you more space?
Once you nail what’s really bugging you, you’ve got to talk to God about it. Ask Him to show you what’s really going on and how to handle your struggle. Ask Him to help you change things from the inside out.
Next, sit down with your parents and talk things through. Sort out your feelings and think through your conversation before you approach them. Above all, stay calm and show respect. 
