HOUSE GOT TRASHED AT PARTY

Dear Coleen

I’m an 18-year-old girl and last weekend, to celebrate the end of exams, I had a party at my house while my parents were away.

They knew I was having friends over, but I hadn’t been honest about how many friends would be there. Then the party ended up on social media, so even more people showed up.

I got a bit drunk, so wasn’t really monitoring what people were up to and the next morning the place was trashed. There were spilled drinks, cigarette butts everywhere and smashed glasses – even the garden was wrecked.

I got some of my mates to help me clear up, but it didn’t make that much difference. My parents were really angry when they got home and my mum even cried, as she takes a lot of pride in our home. I feel so guilty about it and I’ve apologised a hundred times, and tried to show them I feel bad, but they’re still furious. How can I prove I really am sorry? Coleen says Well, you should feel bad and you can’t expect your parents to get over it instantly – I don’t blame them for being angry and disappointed. They’ve worked hard to make a home for you and this is how you repay them.

You need to prove to them with actions – not words – that you’ve learnt your lesson and that you are truly sorry.

So, first of all, never do anything that stupid again and try to help them get the place back to the way it was in whatever way you can.

For example, source cleaning services online and, if you can, contribute money to help cover breakages. And get out in the garden and make it look nice.

If you’re genuinely sorry you will be willing to prove it.