Is it bad that I don't want to talk to a parent about my problems but I feel more comfortable talking to someone else?

No, sometimes parents can be too overbearing, or not truly understand what you're going through. Talking to someone else can give you an unbiased opinion to help you sort through the way you're feeling.

Not at all, in fact this is a very common situation between parent and child. It feels easier to talk to others because they don't know you as well, which sounds backwards, but think of it this way. You tell someone you don't know very well because it doesn't matter as much what they think of it. Parents on the other hand are very personal. They basically have a role in everyday life, and once you become a teenager we all get this urge to try to figure out everything on our own. Reaching out to parents gets harder and harder because sometimes parents become more intimidating. Besides, we're used to going to our parents for bumps and scrapes, but not as much our problems... There's also the idea that instead of getting a loving hug your parent may sit and lecture you. Parents are authority figures. Who would you feel more comfortable with? Explaining a problem to another coworker or to the boss? It's totally normal that you feel this way, but also, it is a feeling, which means it's still totally fine to go to your parents about problems! In fact its really healthy in most cases and some parents can be pretty supportive.

I don't think that's bad at all. It's kind of normal. Parents can't see past being your parent. Sometimes they give you advice that they feel is correct in raising you, but may not be the advice they would give a friend. Sometimes it can cause excess worry, or, being a parent, cause a reaction that isn't related to the problem, or make the problem worse. The "right thing" and the "best thing" aren't always the same. Plus, they are your parents. I think most of us know (at least as we get older) the gist of what they are going to say. They raise us with their morals and attitudes. We see them every day. Going outside the box and getting different opinions and points of views is refreshing, and we can often come up with (sometimes better) solutions than just our parents can provide us.

It's not necessarily bad but something you should definitely analyze. How is your relationship with your parents? what are the circumstances? Some cases are totally acceptable to see why you don't feel comfortable while others it might be a self/personality thing. I am not comfortable talking to my parents because I feel like they will judge me because I see how they judge my siblings behind their backs to me. that makes is difficult for me. I am slowly starting to be more open and its a nice feeling because I always wanted to be close to them. But a few years ago it was ok that I ant comfortable and it still would be ok now. I just choose not to let my thoughts get to me because I want a different outcome. So I would say analyze yourself, your wants and the situation and only you can answer your question.

Nono, I don't think it's bad at all! Plenty of people prefer to confide in others. In a lot of situations, confiding in another can provide an unbiased opinion. Talking about problems in a comfortable setting is what is most important. :)

No, definitely not. A common misconception that everyone makes is that they have an obligation to tell their parents everything, and that if they're not comfortable with that, it shows that there isn't any trust or love between them. This is far from the truth. In actual fact, it's perfectly normal not to talk to your parents about your problem. People generally find it a lot easier to talk to strangers or friends for many reasons. One of these could be that the issue is something which could be seen as "awkward" - maybe it's sexual or intimate or otherwise just plain weird to talk to an adult about. Other times, it's something that could get you in trouble. Usually though, it's something you just don't want them to worry about. Your parents usually have a strong attachment to you, and it feels subconsciously unfair to lay something on them. Your friends, however, have a more "chosen" relationship. It's quite strange and hard to understand. Your parents will prioritise you and, in some situations, this will make their opinion biased. I understand a lot of people can't tell their parents for other reasons. I'm not saying every parent cares, sadly that isn't the truth. Sometimes, you can't talk to your parents because you don't trust them or you're not comfortable and close enough to tell them. This is normal too.

Sometimes those closest to us are "too close" to discuss personal stuff. That's exactly what the strangers here on 7 cups are for!!

This is not bad; it is a completely normal behavior that happens to everyone. When we avoid sharing our problems to someone, it might have been because they have done or reacted unpleasantly towards us when we talked to them about our issue. It is therefore only normal to want to talk to someone else instead of them the next time around. However, please note that being able to communicate openly and directly, and having the trust to do so, are very important elements to rebuilding your trust with your parent again.

No, sometimes it's hard to open up to our parents. If you have someone you can talk to, lean on them.

It's not bad! I felt the same way, and so do many other people. Talking to someone else can still be just as helpful, if not more helpful.