SOMETIMES, kids don't think their parents are fair to them. When you want to dress in a modern way, your mum doesn't like you wearing a mini-skirt.

When you are making phone calls to friends, they ask if you're speaking to a boy or a girl.

Sometimes it seems that you're not as close to your parents as you used to be. How can you become close again?

"Closing the Gap" by American author Jay McGraw gives advice on how to have a better relationship (关系) with your parents.

The book gives ways to help teens understand their parents. When you think "my parents don't want me to have any fun," that usually means your parents want you to be safe. Both parents and children have needs. They need to feel they are important and loved.

You should tell your parents your needs, and find out what their needs are. Then, you can think of a way to make all of you happy. The book gives you some ideas:

1. Make time to talk. You could talk about your school life and your plans for the future.

2. Keep a diary. This is to help you understand more about yourself and your feelings.

3. Show your parents you are growing up. Wash your own clothes and help around the house. Your parents will feel that you are no longer a small child.

If you follow these steps, slowly, you will be able to break down the walls between your parents and yourself.