What kind of rules should I have as a 19 year old?
So I’m 19F and recently I’ve been getting in arguments with my dad. I graduated high school last year, and I chose to stay at home and do community college before transferring to a university, which is happening this January. Over the past year, I’ve been mainly doing school and working full time. My friends who all go to universities have had a lot more free time to go out, meet new people, and it’s been making me want to go out as well. I don’t want to spend all my time inside while people my age get to have fun and make memories.
anyways, my parents have always been on the stricter side. they had to work really hard growing up and raising us so they didn’t get a chance to go out until my siblings and i were older. Ive been staying out later everyday, literally just going on a walk in a park, or getting food with friends, and it turns into a huge fight with them. They don’t believe me when I go out to do simple things, and always think I’m hiding something from them. But they’ve never established a specific curfew, and I’m always super quiet when I come home to not disturb anyone. I also have gotten 2 tattoos and a couple piercings which they were pissed about. To me it’s not that big of a deal, everyone has them. My mom hasn’t talked to me in 6 months over this.
I’m a responsible kid. I work full time for a bank and part time at a restaurant. I have my own savings to pay for my college and extra for emergency funds. I bought my own car. I’m in school full time and plan to graduate early. Despite all this, my parents never let me do anything, and always think the worst of me. I’m not trying to be dramatic, and I know that they care and get worried. But i’m 19 and I feel like i’ve shown my responsibility. I’ve been thinking of moving out for a couple years, and i’m really starting to consider it here. Am I wrong to want to move out? And am I disrespecting my parents by wanting to go out more? I’m so confused if I’m old enough to make my own decisions or if I still need to listen to them
so sorry for the long rant but i’d appreciate any feedback!
Posted Sep 2, 2026, 12:36 PM UTC