You are definitely capable of getting ungrounded and rebuilding the trust that you may have lost with your parents if you have been ungrounded. Depending on what you did, there are a few things you can do to reduce or eliminate your grounded status, depending on what you did.
The Offense
Taking some time to think about how you are going to handle getting ungrounded is important before you begin to plan how you are going to handle it. If you can, try to look at it from the perspective of your parents or parents’ parents rather than from your own perspective.
You will be able to appeal to them once you are comfortable with the idea once you are ready to do so.
Earning Back Trust
Among the most common complaints that parents have is that they feel that there is a loss of trust between you and the child. Think of some ways in which you can prove to your parents that you are a trustworthy person who they can trust to follow the rules going forward and that they can count on you to follow those rules. There are a few things you can do:
- Ensure that you are reliable and consistent at all times.
- Keep your word and follow through with it.
- Don’t be afraid to take responsibility for your own actions, even if they don’t ask you to.
- Be sure to keep your room tidy, take good care of your belongings, and pitch in around the house whenever you can.
- It is important to be thoughtful towards other members of your family and go out of your way to help them out as well.
Speaking With Your Parents
If you want to speak with your parents about getting ungrounded, you need to do so in a mature, calm manner. In addition, you should keep in mind that this is your opportunity to express your thoughts to them.
Presenting Your Point of View
You should ask your parents if they are willing to discuss your grounding with you before you have a conversation with them about it. You should let them know that you would like the opportunity to share your thoughts and hear their feedback on your ideas.
In order to have a successful conversation, try the following tips:
- I would like to thank them for listening to what I had to say
- Let them know that you value their opinion and respect their decision by expressing your appreciation
- Please consider apologizing for your mistake and letting me know what you have learned as a result of it
- If you want to change the way you handle the situation in the future, you should let them know how you will do that
- Consider asking the company if they would be willing to lessen the punishment and give you a chance to prove yourself to them
- As part of the process of lifting your grounded status, ask if there is another course of action that they are comfortable with instead of lifting your grounded status
- You should remain calm regardless of what happens, and thank them for listening to what you have to say
Keeping Your Cool
There can be some challenges involved in staying calm during this type of conversation, especially if you believe that the punishment does not match the crime that has been committed.
In order for your parents to pay attention to you, it is crucial that you maintain a level head and don’t lose your temper. Whenever emotions get high, the receiving party tends to shut down and become defensive as a result. It will definitely not help your case if you do this.
Managing Your Emotions and Reactions
To keep yourself calm and collected, it is recommended that you spend some time thinking about what you would like to say to your parents beforehand so that you are fully prepared.
It would be helpful for you if you could imagine a few different reactions that they may have and how you could handle them in a relaxed manner based on those reactions. In the event that you feel yourself getting angry, sad, or upset, try the following:
- You have to remind yourself how important it is to remain levelheaded and that if you do this, you have a higher chance of getting your parents to hear you out more effectively
- Be sure to take a few deep breaths before you speak to them, as well as during the conversation if you feel your emotions escalating
- Taking a body scan before and after speaking with your parents is a good way to check in with yourself. You must be able to manage your emotions in an effective manner in order to be an adult
- It can be helpful to visualize a calm place before speaking with them, or to take a moment when you find yourself in a heated moment, to help you return to a more calm state of mind.
Understanding What Works
Regardless of what happens, you should be proud of yourself for taking the initiative and trying to have a mature conversation with your parents. Consider what they respond positively to, and continue to work on rebuilding their trust by taking note of what they respond positively to.