What do you do when you and your parent cannot seem to communicate without arguing?

Try coming to your parent with your issue from a different angle. Start calmly by asking what you'd like. Refrain from yelling when you can. If need be, contact a third party to mediate.

I have struggled with this myself and I know how awful it can feel. I also know how hard it can be to break this cycle, because when you are used to talking to each other in a certain way, it becomes "normal" and "acceptable" and very hard to break. What may help in this situation is to remember that you can only change your own behaviour, not the other person's, and that may be something you would want to focus on. You could try to do something special and new for the other person, making it clear that you appreciate them and do not expect something in return. Maybe give them a small gift, take them to the movies (no talking in the cinema ;) ) or prepare them a nice meal or bath, whatever feels right. Another thing that may be helpful is written communication. Write your parent a letter, explaining how you feel. Try to not sound as if you are blaming them, but rather explain that you would like to fight less, and that you miss spending quality time together. The third thing that may help is creating a positive ritual. Here, you can also get creative. You could propose cooking together, watching a series together, talking walks with the dog. Make it clear to your parents that these are times you want to enjoy their company, and maybe stay clear of topics you fight about. Last but not least, express gratitude. Your parents are certainly not perfect, they are flawed and that can makes family life difficult. But in most cases, they also care about you a lot. If you show them that you know how hard things can be for them, and that you appreciate all they do for you, they may feel less frustrated and more ready to treat you the same way. I know all this sounds like a very unbalanced effort. But usually, if you openly make an effort and show a person your gratitude and appreciation for them, they will slowly start to change the way they act towards you, too. Good luck and strength to you! :)

Maybe try a different approach to send the message across. Sometimes maybe the way the message is conveyed is not understood or wrongly understood.

When my mother and I can't seem to talk without chewing each other out, I use writing as a safe medium for us to communicate. With writing, we take the time to think about what we want from one another without unintentionally hurting each other through arguing. Later, when my mother and I have had a chance to see things from the other's perspective, we'll try to talk to one another again. This time, there's a lot less arguing involved.

College. I want to get things going, and they're telling me I need to chill and relax and enjoy my last year.

Try and identify why you think you can`t communicate with your parents, maybe you feel they`re not fully understanding or listening to you? Staying calm and expressing your feelings openly can also help. Taking time to breath during conversations can stop things from building up and creating an argument.

take some time apart, and then talk

In my personal experience, it is helpful to approach the issue in a calm, collected manner, without becoming too emotional. If the conversation seems to be turning into an argument, simply step away and begin again. Never lose your temper

There are 4 things to avoid when talking about important issues: Criticism, Defensiveness, Contempt, and Stonewalling. To combat coming across as critical, you can start out gently and schedule a time to have the conversation. (So many conflicts happen when people are trying to hurry and talk when the other isn't listening.) Use I statements and focus on what you need. Bring up the subject, but then take time to hear the other person's point of view. Don't interrupt. Listen and help them feel understood. You can do this even if you don't agree. To avoid getting defensive, you accept the other person's perspective and take responsibility for anything you should apologize for. To avoid stonewalling, be in tune to your feelings and before you get to the point you want to get up and run away, ask if you can take a break for a few minutes to get re-centered. Practice self-soothing. If that isn't possible, try to breathe slowly and stay in the moment. To avoid contempt, think about what you appreciate about them. When you do this, it keeps you from feeling superior to them (which contributes to the conflict.) There are therapists who can help you practice these techniques. This is just a start. Here's hoping you can strengthen your family with these important techniques.

Its a very common issue I believe. Its happened because parents and children have different mind set and goals. Normally parents have dreams for their children and children not follow those dreams that situation cause the issues. On other hand children want free situations and want freedom.I think there is should be balanced between both these conditions. Both parents and children must try to avoid these situations. But problems never sort out without divisions. In my opinion parents should try be more responsible in these situations try to understand there situations. Gave them enough freedom to choose there own ways to spend there lifes. They should play the role of guider and supporter