By Carolina
I've never had a relationship with someone that I can trust, or that would stay no matter what was said. In the past, I've felt judged and abandandoned when I've opened up. I never realized or appreciated that the only person who was really there for me was my mom.
As a teen, I now acknowledge her and she's the only person I run to when I need help or advice with anything related to reproductive health, dating, etc. The reason why she's the person I most trust is because she is more experienced and has my best interest at heart. I know she won't judge me, she listens to me, and most of all, she will always stay no matter what I say.
As an 18 year old, it's hard to keep everything bottled up inside, and I do really need to go to my mom to vent and express myself. At first, it wasn't easy opening up to her since I wasn't sure how she would react to my honesty, but over time I gained confidence to initiate those conversations. I also got some great tips from TeenSource on how to approach my mom about more sensitive topics like sex and dating.
Talking with your parents doesn't have to be hard but it doesn't hurt to get some help. You can direct your parents to www.talkwithyourkids.org if you'd rather have them get the conversation started. Remember, a parent's love is unconditional!