Moms! O-M-G, M-O-M.

Moms! We don’t what it is with moms but they always find a way to ruin our day. She always has crazy high expectations and rules and chores and things to complicate your life and she’s always asking why you can’t just be more like your sister. She is always upset about something!

How can this person who created me be stressing me out so much?!

Chill, lady-face. Here’s a lesson you need that nobody tells you when you’re growing up: work on your relationship with your Mom. She’s probably not perfect, but nobody is perfect — and that includes you! In the end, you’ve got many, many years together and the two of you are going to need each other.

So let’s cut the drama and work things out.

Make the first move
This Sunday, plan on a trip to the market and cook together afterwards. Or, you know, whatever she really enjoys doing. Show your mom that even though sometimes you two yell at each other, you still understand that it’ll pass. It’s not just her job to care for you, it’s your job to care for her. Going out and doing something makes it easier to talk about what’s bothering you.

Someone who totally gets you
Blah, blah, teenage angst, you feel like an alien, waiting to find someone who truly understands you, blah blah. You and pretty much every girl ever. You want someone who probably will truly understand who you feel? Try your mom. Everything you’re going through, she’s already been through. Turn the drama down a little and just talk to your mom about what’s bothering you.

Saying ‘sorry’ is easy
Ok, sometimes there are fights you have between you and your parents that aren’t little things — they’re big, life changing, things. We’re not talking about those.

We’re talking about that one time that you saw your friends when you were out with your mom shopping, and you yelled at her for embarrassing you in front of them. We’re talking about the dumb stuff. The stuff that when you think about it, you know is pretty much your fault.

When you do dumb stuff, say you’re sorry. Part of growing-up is taking responsibility for when you make mistakes. She might seem like she’s made of stone, but mom’s get hurt feelings too. Learning to say you’re sorry can make all the difference, and it’s a skill that will help you your entire life.