It's time parents acknowledge stress kids are under

Fifteen advanced calculus problems that I do not understand: one hour.

An English essay no less than three pages on a novel that I only half-read: two hours.

Three double-sided Spanish worksheets that are, of course, not in English: one hour.

An anatomy crossword puzzle that I just really do not want to do: half an hour.

A worksheet on volleyball for, of all classes, physical education: 15 minutes.

Having homework steal four hours and forty-five minutes of my already short day: timeless.

And this is all before study time, work time and school time is added in.

As a teenager in today's hectic world, I wonder how there is ever any time for fun and being a teen. When all of the homework and study time is added to the hours spent juggling school and a part-time job, I am curious as to why my parents are always telling me, "Oh, I have had such a busy day -- you couldn't possibly imagine!"

I know I am not alone. Plenty of other parents seem to feel like we teens are in the dark when it comes to stressful days. Now, yes, I know parents' lives are extremely chaotic, especially in houses with multiple children. Certainly I do not challenge that.

I have seen the effects of driving to and from athletic and other school events on my parents, as well as my friends' parents, particularly the ones who also work. But, on the other hand, I have encountered so many parents who believe there is nothing the least bit stressful about being a teenager.

I do not know whether times were easier back then or if they simply do not remember their younger years, but either way they need to stop and examine their teen's life more carefully.

Just think -- added on top of school, work and homework, we find peer pressure, increasing self-esteem and self-image issues and other various emotional stresses that adults deal with slightly less frequently due to the (hopefully) more mature nature of their peers.

So parents, I implore you, step back and think twice before saying your teens lack any knowledge of real stress. These assumptions could lead to more stress. There is often nothing more frustrating or pressuring to a teen than having an adult underestimate them, especially their own parents.