How To Live Alone With Your Parents

by Janette Hawkley

(Janette is filling in for her mom this week with an essay she wrote for her English class.)

Since I grew up with seven siblings, I know how easy it is to hide behind the actions of your brothers and sisters. For example, when I was accused of eating the candy hidden in the laundry room, all I had to say was, "Anthony ate it." That way, I wasn't lying, and Anthony got punished because he ate it, too. Now that all my older siblings have moved out, I have no one to shove the blame to. Occasionally, I can blame my dad for the milk crisis when my mom opens the fridge and asks, "Where did all the milk go?" But for the most part, I have had to redefine my pattern of getting away with things. (Lest we forget, I AM a teenager.) So here they are, my five steps . . . no . . . RULES of living alone with your parents.

1. Remember, you're an only child now. Every action will be heartily noted.



2. Don't try to blame the dog. They'll see right through it. Especially if you don't have a dog.



3. Be careful that you only use the "I lost track of time" excuse in a very important circumstance of being late. It only works once before they get you a watch.



4. Rather than reminding them of times they've caved in before, example, "But you let Ethan do this when he was 17," remind them how responsible you are. And how mature.



5. Lastly, be responsible in event of being grounded. You're the last one they have at home. They actually LIKE having your around the house for longer than you'd like to be there. Anyway, they're just doing it because they love you.