Dear Kylie,

Living in a household with yelling and tension is a very toxic environment for everyone. While it is important to let your parents know that their behavior is very disturbing to you, it is equally important to realize that only they can change their behavior, not you.

What you can do, however, is take care of yourself. In situations where we cannot change the things that are painful and disturbing to us, the best way to feel better emotionally is to get those feelings out in healthy ways. In addition to letting your parents know how you feel, this can be done through writing, art expression, and talking to a trusted friend.

If these efforts are not successful, speaking to a professional can be of great value. A school counselor can often be a great place to start. This is particularly true if your family is experiencing physical fighting in addition to arguing.

While it is often difficult to “fix” our family, it is always a good idea to take care of our own emotional well-being.