Being daddy's little girl was great, wasn't it? You got anything you wanted, from that My Little Pony you've always wanted, or getting away with eating cookies before dinner by just batting your eyelashes.

But when your parents keep treating you like a little girl (or boy!) when you're already a teenager, it's definitely not fun anymore. Some rules may involve topics ranging from makeup and clothes to actually dictating which friends you can hang out with. It can drive anyone crazy, especially for teenagers who are just learning about things and deciding what they want to do or not to do.

The term “strict parents” varies from one parent to another. What may be strict to one person may be a totally normal rule for another. Your parents' cultural, religious and individual backgrounds may also play a big role for the ground rules that they lay down. One thing's for sure: Sometimes they become borderline unreasonable. Here are some tips to get rid of that strict streak in your parents.

Know what they're afraid of.

Why are they so strict anyway? They're usually afraid that you can get into trouble or harm, namely from:

• Sex
• Drugs
• Alcohol
• Vices
• Bad friends
• That guy you're dating
• The world in general (accidents, crime, etc.)

It can take a while to convince them that you won't do anything stupid nor is the world out to get you, but it's best to know what their fears are before anything else.

Don't be a brat.

Number one rule if you ever want your parents to lay off the strict sauce. Never scream back and never throw a tantrum when you don't get your way. That's how spoiled kids in the mall act and that's definitely not a mental picture you want your parents to be having, either. When reasoning with your parents, sound reasonable. Don't raise your voice, and don't be so emotional when they don't immediately budge to your wishes.

Communicate.

Your parents may seem to come from a totally different planet, but that shouldn't discourage you. Sometimes the best way to point out unfair behavior is honest communication. You have these options:

• Write a letter. Writing to your parents is one of the best non-confrontational things you can do, especially when you can't find the words to explain your side when they're right in front of you. Writing a letter also gives you an opportunity to list the things you find unreasonable, and you can explain as long as you want without anyone interrupting you.
• Ask why. Ask your parents why they have set these rules. Understanding their reasons can help you reason or find middle ground with them.

• Arrange a family meeting. This is especially helpful when you have siblings who's close to your age. Issues of “Why am I not allowed to do so-and-so when HE can?” can be brought up here. You can also have a stronger voice combined with your siblings when it comes to overly strict rules.
  Some families even have a written contract signed by all that sets down ground rules, agreements, rewards and punishments.
• Bite the bullet. No time like the present, right? Sometimes the best approach is to go up to your parents and say, “I want to do this. I know you do not agree but these are my reasons why I want to do it..” Being ballsy enough to stand up to your parents and saying what you want can be very impressive and is actually a sign of maturity.

Appeal, appeal, appeal.

Every parental unit has a secret crack, and that crack is this: One parent is more lenient than the other, and sometimes asking permission from the more lenient parent first can make all the difference. Conversely, you can also appeal to your more lenient parent against a decision made by the stricter one. The trick is to ask permission from one parent first.

Remind them that they were young once.

This is where your grandparents, your parents' siblings or your parents' friends come in handy. Ask questions about when your parents were young and broke the rules, always handy to whip out when you need it most. I.e.: “Grandma said when you were younger you used to...” Don't sound like you're accusing them, use it as a light and humorous approach to remind them what it was like to be young and wanting to try new things.

Know where they're coming from.

Once upon a time, your parents were like you too. Sure they wore funny clothes and listened to what you consider dorky music, but that was what was cool and current back then. They got older, they got responsibilities and eventually, you, and it became a whole different ballgame altogether. They became parents, and any good parent wants to make sure that you their kids are safe and well-taken care of.

In the case of parents who have had a strictly religious or a conservative upbringing, you also have to understand the way they were brought up. You don't have to agree with all their standards, but you must understand how they translate the current lifestyle trend. Learning their language and their reasons for being the way they are goes a long way not just in convincing them of your point of view by using their language, but in understanding your parents as people as well.

Be responsible.

Some parents say that they'll only start thinking of their children as adults are when they get married. It doesn't have to take that long. If you can't win your parents over your well-researched and well-worded arguments, convince them by your actions. Help out more with the household chores. Take care of your younger siblings. Be active in civic work. Bring home good grades. Showing your parents that you can be relied on will make them trust you more, and they may start treating you less like a kid and more like an adult they can count on.

Meet halfway.

Some parents can be paranoid, which is why they can be very controlling. Believe it or not, you can actually meet halfway. For example, when asking permission to go to a party, you can agree to call your parents every hour to check in with them. You can even volunteer to be grounded just in case you don't keep to your side of the compromise. It may sound a little extreme to your friends, but if that's what's needed for them to be just a little less worried, then do so.

Introduce them to your friends.

Parents are also afraid that you can run into bad friends who will influence you into doing similarly bad things. Unless your friends are biker dudes with huge tattoos on their arms, invite your friends over for a study group or to watch rented movies together. This way, you can show your friends to your parents in a relaxed atmosphere.

You can also give your parents' your friends' contact numbers and addresses to make them feel safer about you going out with them. You should ask permission from your friends first, of course, and remind your parents to call those numbers during emergencies only.

Introduce them to the person you're dating.

You can also relieve the worry from your parents' minds if you introduce them in a relaxed manner, similar to your friends. It will make them less paranoid thinking about the myriad ways the person you're dating can hurt you when you show them that he/she is an actual, pleasant person that you would like to hang around with. Of course you may have to be more careful in how you present that person, but don't overdo it. The goal is to show your parents that he/she is a nice person, and not to fool them.

Introduce them to your friends' parents.

It doesn't have to be anything formal. The next time you have a gathering in your school or neighborhood, don't pass up the opportunity to introduce your friends' parents to your own. The better they know the people you go out with, the easier they'll breathe. Same goes to the parents of the person you're dating.

Ask for the help of other adults.

If your parents are really very unreasonably strict and you can't find middle ground, you can ask another adult like a relative, a pastor, a guidance counselor or a family therapist to help you. You should only do this on very serious matters and if you have no other option. Your parents will normally not appreciate other people, even people they're related to, to be meddling with how they raise their children.

These are just tips that may help you try to help you with your strict parents, but there is no guarantee. Just remember that your parents enforce those rules because they love you and they want to protect you as long as they can. Sometimes it can be misguided, but sometimes you should also let them do their jobs as parents. Just remind them that you can be trusted and that you also need to experience things for yourself to allow personal growth.