Growing Up Poem by Teens

Dedicated To All Troubled Teens

A teen's struggle for independence.

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I'm exactly the same. My parents don't let me out, and I'm 17. I can't make any friends because they won't let me go to school. It's like a prison in my house.

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They Don't Understand

©

Published by Family Friend Poems November 2006 with permission of the Author.

I'm confused about life.
It seems like no one understands me,
especially my parents.
They try to run my life,
but they don't understand.
My life's my own to run;
they can't run it.
It seems we live in two different worlds,
at two different times.
They should know no matter how much
they try to control my life
I'll always rebel.
I don't care about the punishment
because they can't take away my
freedom, hope, dreams, memories
and people I love ever.
I wish they would understand.
They never had to go through
the problems us teens are going through now.
They would never understand.
Back then there weren't so many problems us
teens face now.
They just simply don't understand
us teens.

Dedicated to:  All Troubled Teens

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Has this poem touched you? Share your story!
  • Kgomotso.Cullinan Pta by Kgomotso.Cullinan Pta
  • 11 years ago

It has touched me because I'm also a teenager, everytime I try to have fun my dad spoils my fun and he makes it rotten for me I don't enjoy life that much sometimes I feel like killing myself for this. I was accused of taking prevention pills while I'm still a virgin my dad doesn't trust me at all as if I'm a prostitute or a drug addict I hate this LIFE. I will not have peace and freedom in this world maybe it's best to kill myself I'm tired of LIVING this LIFE.

  • Jayde by Jayde
  • 12 years ago

This is how my parents treat me, they think they can rule my life and they think that there's heaps of danger out there. Today we went to a main shopping centre and we saw 2 teenagers making out and my mum said to me, "this is why I don't let you go here." I mean you're only a teenager once so you should make the most out of it. It's my life not theirs. If I stuff up well that's my fault, not theirs, and I would've learnt from that mistake. I have currently got a boyfriend and my parents won't even let me see him, so I never get to see him (besides at school, but private schools don't like any physical contact), so then there's no point really going out because you can't do anything, and you never get to see each other

  • Black Widdow by Black Widdow, manchester
  • 7 years ago

I'm exactly the same. My parents don't let me out, and I'm 17. I can't make any friends because they won't let me go to school. It's like a prison in my house.

  • Paige by Paige, Ky
  • 12 years ago

I feel the same my parents are always telling me how to dress and act. It is annoying -___-

  • Anna by Anna, Nc
  • 12 years ago

This is sooo my grandparents. I don't get to see my mom and I don't see my dad often. I want to live my life not have my life lived for me.

  • Sidrah by Sidrah, Dubai
  • 12 years ago

I hate being so under control too and my parents JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND ME :(

  • Eleanor Robinson by Eleanor Robinson
  • 13 years ago

I am like this all the time. My parents had a strict upbringing and now they're trying this on me and I cannot handle it! Us modern teens NEED our freedom and trust. And when we're told to grow up and act our age. Aren't we already acting our age?

  • Shirley Gerald Ware by Shirley Gerald Ware
  • 13 years ago

This is a great poem for teens. I wish my daughter would have written down her thoughts before acting on them. I once felt similar to this but I grew older and wiser with time. To all teens, that feel as though their parents do not understand, we understand but you will have to travel your journey of growing up all by yourself.

  • Jarred by Jarred, Ca
  • 13 years ago

This is very true we teens go through a lot my moms is forcing me to get good grades just because she wants me to be the first person in my family to go to college and if I don't I can't play sports and she'll take away everything. I have some pretty good grades but they just don't understand that back then school wasn't as hard as we have it now. They just need to lay back and let us make our own mistakes because they will see that we are better than what they think we are

  • Columbia TN by Columbia TN
  • 13 years ago

I feel the same. I am almost 18 and my parents still don't understand how life is now then it was in their time. I wish they could let us make our own mistakes by ourselves.

  • Queens NY by Queens NY
  • 14 years ago

Of course you feel like they don't understand. Every teen feels that way. I know I did! Truth is your parents are only trying to keep you from making whatever mistakes they made when they were teens. Most parents, in their right mind, will only want what is best for their children and want their children to see life and live it through their mistakes so you won't have to make them and deal with the pains and heartache that follow. Teens that date at a young age are only setting themselves up for a heartbreak that can easily traumatize you for the rest of your life. Once that happens, you will never be the same. Battling teen pregnancy, STD's, low self esteem due to break up or phys/mental abuse is only the beginning. These things can be avoided if you heed the warnings of your parents. Stay focused on education & the things that will equip you for life & then you will be ready to start dating to look for that special someone when you're more mature & ready.

  • Corinne by Corinne, Utah
  • 14 years ago

Your parents are only trying to protect you from the things that can and will hurt you in this world Being a teen isn't easy of course and before you say your parents don't understand they really do. Yes they grew up in a different generation than you but believe me they still faced what you face today which for example would be sex, alcohol, drugs, gangs, abuse etc. I am a teen like you although I am 18 and a adult, I'm still a teen to be literal. I have made a lot of poor choices as a teenager I think mostly because I never had a father around and a mom to guide me. I started to have sex at a young age and I tried pot a few times and once I had a bad case of alcohol poisoning. I made choices on my own because I thought I knew it all. I should of listened to my grandparents who were there trying to guide me, but I resisted their help because "I knew it all" but the truth is I didn't. Well what I'm trying to say is please listen to your parents.

  • Brad Yomen by Brad Yomen, USA
  • 14 years ago

Enjoyed it a great deal because it really captures the underlying emotions and individual challenges of such a tough set of circumstances. Kudos!

  • Torie Taytum by Torie Taytum
  • 14 years ago

I feel the exact same way! I just recently got done arguing with my mom about how she can't change me or who I am or what I do. And I have a boyfriend who they hate just because of the way he looks. I wish they would just leave me and my life alone.

  • troubled teens by troubled teens
  • 15 years ago

Yes, it is true that each teen wants to lead their own way of life with their own way of lifestyle but being a parent it is their duty to guide their teens with better suggestions. As teen parenting these days is the hardest tasks to parents, they should be more active in finding the best information for effective teen parenting.

  • julie taylor by julie taylor
  • 15 years ago

This is amazing...I was looking for a poem to send to my daughter and found this poem, MY DAUGHTER written by Emily J. Taylor. Meant to be. My daughter is a beautiful, kind, wonderful person and I adore her with all my heart. I remember feeling the same way Emily does and I know this too shall pass. I love her!

  • Meaghan by Meaghan
  • 16 years ago

This is exactly how my parents are. They tell me that they know what I'm going through but how could they. I just want them to understand. I rarely tell them anything anymore b/c they yell and scream. I love this poem!!!

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