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It's amazing how my perspective on parenting has changed since I've become a parent myself. I have two darling daughters. Amazing how there are no training courses for being a parent...every parent gets on-the-job training. Each child is different.
My daughters for example are very different. My oldest, is the nicest, non-confrontational, sweetest kid I've ever met. My youngest, on the other hand, is sweet as well but very, very demanding. I'm sure you are different from other students. But it's the parent's job to raise you and train you. What an intimidating challenge. We want the best for you but often don't know how to show it. We want you to succeed, but there is no formula that can guarantee you'll be happy in life. We want to be your friend, but times have changed so much some of us parents just don't know how to be all the things we want to be for you. We want you to listen to us, but we don't know your language. We want you to avoid making the same mistakes we did, but we also know how important it is for you to make your own mistakes.

I used to live on an Indian Reservation in Belcourt, North Dakota. There was an old saying I heard there: "Never criticize a man until you have walked a mile in his moccasins." In short...give your parents a break! You got it made! No rent, no electric bill, no phone bill, no power bill, no food bill, no laundry bill, etc. etc. etc. I can't even imagine, after all of the things I do for my daughters, one of them growing up to dis me like some students disrespect their parents. My mother died of cancer in 1995. She had six inoperable tumors on her brain. My dad lives a thousand miles away. I'd give anything to be closer to them both right now. Don't forfeit the privilege of really, really knowing and enjoying your folks just because you don't always get your way. Give mom roses while she can still smell them...I can't, and regret it dearly.