Amanda Jimenez Castro, 16
Boundaries
My parents want me to spend most of my time at home with them, but I wish they understood that I need some time alone to rest after a busy day.
David Pena, 16
Autonomy
I want my parents to know I want autonomy. I want to be able to make choices unrestrained by their rules and deal with the consequences without a lesson attached.
Isabella Delgado, 15
Screen Time
Screen time regulations are great for keeping younger kids safe, but now that I’m in high school, I need extra time on my devices to finish schoolwork and talk to my friends.
Olivia Riemann, 16
Stress
I wish my parents knew that stress is an inevitable part of high school, and that I won’t always be completely organized. A little patience from them can go a long way in helping me.
Carmen Gutierrez, 16
Stress
One thing I wish my parents understood is that stress comes from a variety of things, like classmates, grades, and sports, and that high expectations often add to it.
Miguel Alatorre Juarez, 16
Responsibility
Responsibility shows up daily in my life, especially in my running practice every morning. I want my parents to know that I'm ready for more independence, as I've proven I can handle it.
Natasha Mar, 16
Pressure
I wish parents knew that putting an overwhelming amount of pressure on their child can be detrimental to their mental health. Having realistic expectations is important, but parents shouldn’t hope for perfection.
Micaela Delgado, 19
Trust
I wish my parents knew that trust can look like growth beyond their guidance, especially after high school. I don’t need parents to stop caring; instead, I need them to step back and trust me.
Kinley Greene, 16
Mental Health
I want parents to know that many teens who experience mental health issues look completely normal on the outside. To help, parents need to create an environment where their child feels safe to open up.
Preston Nguyen, 19
Expectations
I wish my parents understood that while I appreciate their high expectations, constantly trying to meet them can be exhausting. I believe a good balance between their wishes and reality fosters both motivation and emotional stability.
Antonio De la Rosa, 18
Failure
Failure is a big part of the learning process; I want parents to know that showing patience and grace when their child fails helps motivate them to try again and succeed.