should i do what my parents want me to do?
449835
As a parent, education is #1 in our home as well. However, you are 20 years old and assure your parents that you understand their concerns and that they raised you well enough to know the "dangers" and "stupidity" that comes with your situation. They will never stop worring, that is their job! I say, have your relationship BUT, do NOT let it interfere with your college! No surprises and take it slow! Good Luck !
522810
You are the master of your own destiny.  You can settle down anywhere.  Why not settle down where YOU want, not where your parents think you should?  You're grown; you're not somebody else's livestock to be brought hither and yon or penned up close by by controlling people.  Loving parents are great, but that love can also suffocate what they love.  Explain to them that you have to be your own person.  Good luck.
966144
Wow.  I'm in the same situation. \n\nThe only things I suggest are...\n-try to be more mature: maybe they'll feel that you're more responsible and let you have a bit more freedom\n-Be nice (actually):  maybe if you do what they want (ex: good grades, homework done on time, no whining..etc) they would feel proud for you, and give you some kind of reward\n-interact with them more often:  no matter how relentlessly boring or painful this might be, getting to know your parents is a big thing.  After all, they're not going to be with you the rest of your life - they just give you the start.  If you learn what they are like, maybe they would learn more about you.  Then they might know your need for something and let you do it, for it's very important to you.  And anything important to you that is completed, would make you happy.  And parents want their kids happy.\n\nIt's a whole cycle.  \nGood luck!
33002
Ask your parents if there's anything extra you can do for them; or come to them with an idea.
520863
I don't think so. In my opionion, i dont think that you should, and if you do i think your parents will think they have some sense of control over you.. Listen honey, i hvae been there and done this.... and I am telling you your HAPPINESS should come before anyones... I mean in the long run, you have to make yourself and partner Happy not your parents
417865
well hon you are 24 it is time you make your own decisions. you have to start somewhere or your parents will never give you up.if you are sure this is what you want to do then stay where you are at. they will still love you just as much. good luck and GOD BLESS YOU.
919719
Updated 11/14:\n\nAs I read this question I think this:\nA teen [atheist] should do whatever any teenager should do.  Try to establish communication, work towards mutual understanding, and don't lost sight of the fact that you are pretty much grown up and they are the ones who brought you safely to this place.   Respect is a powerful tool.  You can't win respect from some people no matter what you do, but you can choose to lavish it on others regardless of what you think of their choices.  No matter what their mistakes, your parents deserve your respect just for bringing you to this place.\n\nOK,  that was the update.\n________________________________________\n\nI'm in agreement with you that taking communion wouldn't be appropriate if you do not believe.  The communion is meant to be a way to share a unified faith experience.  Obviously, you don't feel that way.\n\nIt may be time, at 18, to begin discussions about making a plan to move out of the home.  Are you nearing college age?  Is a work/apartment plan appropriate for you?  We have always asked that our children make a plan.  One even chose a half-way house so that he could leave quickly without a plan.  (It was still a plan.)  Two have chosen college.  One went to live with another family for a time until she got a decent job and found an apartment.\n\nYour parents have a responsibility to the world (and to you) to bring you up to the point that you can make a reasonable plan for your future and embark on it.  They may not feel that you are ready, or perhaps it is not customary to let children in your culture leave at this young age. \n\nI suggest talking rationally with them about what is required to remain under their roof and whether it would be an appropriate time to make a launch plan.  Having a plan in place will take some of the pressure off of you, and it might help you comply until the time when you have reached your goal and step out on your own.\n\nI wish you well.  I'm quite certain that you will do well once you have a plan in place that suits you and your future goals.  Just don't lose sight of the future in your angst at the present situation, which I can see is intollerable.\n____________________________\nAnother thought before time runs out...\nEven atheists can spend a lot of time and emotion proselytizing.  Perhaps it would be good to check and see if you are trying to convert your folks.  Obviously, they believe strongly.  You believe strongly in something different.  Suppose you reach a truce.  Suppose you stop talking to them about your disbelief in exchange for them to stop trying to force you to believe.  A similar compromise could be reached that would best fit your situation.  (That would also help you to appear less "rebellious.")
960131
Sorry, honey, they are your parents. Obey them. It sucks, lots of things in life do, but there will always be rules set by those above you, and, sadly, you must follow them.\nNo one ever said life is fair.
420619
You should do what your heart tells you to do. Don't listen to what other people might push you to do. Do what you feel is right. And do what you want, that's the most important thing. Your family will understand your decision.
292727
Ask you parents to do it.
614155
Only way is to see if you can work out your punishment with your parents a different way and stay out of trouble in the future.  Offer to work out chore's or something.
571452
Ok this is your life regardless of whether you have parents you have to do what satisfies you not then because as we all know when there is a life death follows behind--so what I am saying to you is that you dont need to be miserable and accomplish something your parents want you to do.  You need to stand up to them and tell them how important teaching is for you--a job you take should give you complete satisfaction and it should not make you miserable, stress or unhappy.\n\nSo talk to your parents they will understand and we all go through this because this is what our parents expect of us and sometimes we dont like taking a path that our parents want us to do so that is why we have our own brains to decide where we want to go and how we want to get their dont let your parents stop you from doing a job that you may feel so passionate about--our children of today and yesteryear need all teachers who are serious about improving their knowledge to strive to be a better person\n\nyou go  and do your teaching thang
24639
CALMLY talk to your parents. LISTEN to what their concerns are. I am a son, parent, and soon to be grand parent ... Although I rarely took my parents' advice and changed my life because of it, when I did LISTEN, it made my life easier. My parents realize (and I realize as a parent) that kids will NOT do what they want them to do, but if the parents are HEARD, it makes life easier for you, your parents, and the "mate" you are talking about. Think about what they are saying to you, DON'T ARGUE or MAKE THEM THINK like you think - that ain't happening - You allready know your opinion, now PLEASE take 10 minutes and hear the opinion of your parents.
158123
parents usually get mad when their kids fail to follow rules or do what is expected of them .Parents don't tell their kids to do things just for the heck of it. They want their children to learn some responsibilty so that they can make right choices in life. Your parents are only concerned about you and your well being. they want what is best for you. Try not to lie, if you are caught doing something wrong, admit to it. It is a very mature move, believe me, and after you admit to what you did wrong, apologize. You can also talk to your parents about your goals and let them know that you need them to help you fulfill your goals.Parents like to be needed by their children, I think that is the scariest part for parents when kids grow up, the thought that their kid doesn't need them anymore.
156087
Yes try your own business. This could be a great start for you. Ask your parents what they think.
190235
MY PARENTS DIDNT PRESSURE ME, BUT THEY WERE EXPECTING ME TO CONTINUE MY EDUCATION... TWO YEARS AFTER I GRADUATED (WHICH IS NOW) I BARELY FOUND A JOB THAT PAYS GOOD.  ITS A SHAME WHEN PEOPLE ARE PRESSURED INTO DOING THINGS... IT SHOULD BE UP TO YOU TO DECIDE WHAT YOU WANT TO DO WITH YOUR LIFE, NOT YOUR PARENTS. GOOD LUCK!
901818
First priority is to WORK on your studies -- and HONOR That financial Commitment to your future (you sound very young -- and that means for the most part, that your parents are paying for your college and investing in YOUR future - a VERY Caring act).\n\nDO NOT go to the Clubs -- DO NOT waste time there -- there is only one occasion to go out and have fun -- that is when you have SUCCESSFULLY completed all the final exams for the courses, you go back home for the break, and ... for the most part -- you are with your family/friends and want to spend some time with them in enjoyment.\n\nOther than that -- I did see many my age (when I obtained my UGrad Degrees and Grad Degrees) who partied and ... guess what ... they NEVER finished their Advanced Education ... were failed out, and dropped out.  That is NOT what you want or your parents would want for you.