Teenagers Talking to Parents 37 Years Ago

What would teenagers say to their parents if they could?

This question was asked of drama and religion students at Archbishop O’Leary High School in Edmonton 37 years ago.

Their responses became the bases for our original Christmas drama production in 1980 called I am Your Child. I was their drama teacher.

Here is what they had to say:

* Mom and dad, I wish I could tell you how much it means to me to have you there. Not necessarily saying or doing anything but just to know you’re there doing your best for me. It gives me a nice feeling.

*I fear you both sometimes. Whenever I talk around the house I get shit for it. That is why I am so quiet at home and that is why I am only home to sleep.

*I’d like to say how glad I am that our family isn’t like everyone else’s. I feel very comfortable and secure at home. I can talk to my mother about almost everything. When I go somewhere, or to someone else’s house I can’t wait to get home because I feel most comfortable there.

*I know everyone loves each other but I don’t understand why we all fight. Dad you never take me anywhere. Once when I was seven or eight, you took me fishing and that was it. You never took me anywhere else. Maybe because you were too busy. Now I’m with my friends all the time and I have my own things to do so I wish it could have been different. I do love you both.

*My home life is very satisfactory. My parents try to give me the chance to do anything I choose. I am not by any means deprived. My parents show their affection to all of us. We are a pretty close family. I wouldn’t change a thing.

*I’d make my dad not work so hard, so he won’t have another heart attack and I’ll be able to get to know him before he leaves the earth. I’d wished my parents respected each other… They’re divorced.

*I wish you wouldn’t place the negative a step ahead of the positive when I come home and have some wonderful news and you’re really the only one I’d like to share it with. You turn around and give me shit for not cleaning up my room or the kitchen before I even have a chance to say a word. The happy world I was living in a few seconds ago was suddenly crushed. The news doesn’t feel so wonderful anymore.

*Why can’t anyone in this family say I’m sorry?

*Do you really love me?

*I hate the way you treat me like a robot, like I have no feelings or opinions.

*Why does everyone in this family have to fight? Why can’t things be different?

*If I could change my parents, I would have to make them younger so they wouldn’t die. I am very proud of you and I’m lucky to have you for parents. I love you both.

*Let me live my own life. Let me take the consequences of the things I do instead of telling me right from wrong. Trust in the things I do.

* Why can’t I tell you my problems? It is not as if you don’t care. It’s not… I just don’t know why.

*I consider my home life satisfactory because my parents are fairly strict which I think helps, plus they are understanding.

*I would not try to change my parents because I have respect for who they are. Who am I to change my parents?

*Dad, for a guy that is somewhat intelligent, you sure do some stupid things.

*I understand you’re scared to get hurt again… but mom, I’m tired and I’ll run out of ways to show you I won’t disappoint you.

*We’re finished, we have been for a long time. I want to leave you; I don’t want to become like you.

*You don’t want me to get hurt but let me make mistakes. That’s the only way I can grow up. I want to get hurt.

*I wish you would make yourself more approachable. I have a lot of questions and ideas I’d like you to hear, but I don’t want you to feel uncomfortable when you answer.