My Dad is Driving Me Crazy!

My dad won't leave me alone. I don't mean in a bad way like he's mad all the time, but he is just always around. Always asking me questions, always wanting to do things with me. It's like I'm his best friend or something. I love him and all; I just need my space. I mean, I have a life. What do I do? My dad is driving me crazy!

First let me say, that's a good problem to have. Lots of girls would love to have a dad who gave them any attention at all. So take heart; it sounds like you have a great dad. But I totally understand about the "enough is enough" thing. Your dad needs to understand that you aren't his little girl anymore. You are becoming your own person, a young adult who has friends and a life separate from his. And it might just be that he's realizing that and it's scaring him. He doesn't want to lose his little girl. The best thing to do with parents like this is to talk to them. Let them know how you feel, and most of all assure them that you won't leave them forever. Tell them that you'll always be their little girl, just not in the same way you used to be. You need them to let you go a little so that you can grow up, test your wings and learn to fly. Help them to understand that being out on your own more now is just preparing you for when you one day will go off in the real world on your own. I mean, you can't stay home forever.

Encourage your dad by letting him know how much you love him. Plan times when just you and he can still go out and do stuff alone, but be honest with him and make sure he understands you don't hate him - you are just growing up.