Is every hour of your day timetabled to fit in extra revision, ballet lessons that you hate and unwelcome violin practice (which sounds more like you're strangling a cat)? If you have daydreams about snatching 10 minutes to yourself to be a couch potato and chill out, it’s time to take action without locking yourself in your room and hiding under the bed. Never fear, help is here..

1. Remember, even when they’re frowning at your report card because you haven’t got straight A’s, they’re not trying to hack you off, they really do have your best interests at heart. They want you to succeed so that you’re happier.


2. If you dig a little deeper (ask your Mum WHY she is insisting you take piano lessons) you’re probably likely to find that they’re trying to give you the opportunities they didn’t have or trying to get you to do stuff they regret not doing.


3. As tempting as it may be, don’t shout and chuck your toys out of the pram when you get frustrated. Sit them your parent down and try to explain that you feel they’re putting pressure on you to be perfect (which nobody is). Rather than moodily refusing to go to netball practice or ‘losing’ your flute on the bus so you don’t have to play it, explain why you don’t like doing it in a calm way and then suggest an alternative. For instance, you may rather jump off a cliff than jump around a basketball court, but if you would love to try tennis, suggest that instead.


4. Explain that you're really grateful that they're willing to spend all this money on extra-curricular activities for you (don't forget, they could easily keep all the dosh for themselves), but you need to come to a compromise so you have some extra time. They might think that watching TV is a waste of time, but it lets your brain switch off after the mega-effort of concentrating all day at school. Try to get them to timetable some 'down-time' into your day, where they're absolutely banned from nagging you and you can do your own thing.