As teenagers grow out of the childhood stage and into this unknown land of adulthood, we don't always seem to recognize how much we will regret not spending more time with our parents. It can sometimes be tough to see through the haze of all the social events, homework, and activities that make up a high schoolers' life, but making a little extra time for the people who are there for you the most can be so beneficial in the long run.

1. They seem to always just "know" about new people

Am I crazy, or does my mother always know immediately who is a keeper, and who is temporary? She has this scary mom insight and seems to get this sixth sense whenever I bring someone new around. Though I may choose not to believe her at the time, I seriously can't recall a time when she was wrong. She knows before it happens which friends will help and which will hurt before she even knows their last name.

2. Whether we admit it or not, the similarities are there.

Though yes, I do have my own personality, my own little quirks and ticks, I can't deny that I have significant similarities with both my mom and my dad. The more I spend time with them, the more I realize that I actually DO get along with them, I just let my teenage angst get in the way before.

3. They try their hardest to protect us

I think parents hold grudges on acts against their kids much harder than they ever would on acts against themselves. Mine try to protect me from anything and everything while still trying to fight all their instincts and give me my (reasonable) freedom.

4. And prepare us.

They also do their best to inform and educate me so that when I eventually have to go live in the real world (sigh), I will be able to navigate myself through life without constant reassurance (thought phone calls home are still going to be a daily thing).

5. They know how to calm us down.

Whether its a hard day of school or a long month full of anxiety, my parents are always the first person I text when I'm having a momentary freak out. Typically a quick vent over text and a reassuring reply and I'm back to trudging along, but now feeling slightly better after complaining a little.

6. They unconditionally love us at our worst.

Even at the worst of fights, when I can swear you can see the anger roll off my body just as fast as the snarky comments roll off my tongue, as soon as I retreat back to my room I feel terrible. Texts typically are sent in the next hour or so full of apologies, and I know that nothing I could ever say would be truly held against me because of the unconditional love I receive from them.

7. The time for us is now.

High schoolers don't realize it, but this may be closest quarters you are going to live in with your parents when you are the closest to being an adult. This is the time we have to build the core of our adult relationship that will matter the most; the foundation of this relationship you're building should be built on love, not argumentation and angst.

Don't neglect your parents now, because in ten, twenty, fifty years, you will seriously regret it. These are the people in your life who love you the most, show them you love them the most too. The relationship I have with my parents is not perfect by any means, but over the past couple of years I am so grateful I figured out that MY PARENTS ARE PEOPLE TOO (and people I love very much and get along with).