How to tell your parents you got a DUI
So you got a DUI and now you are trying to figure out how to tell your parents?
You probably fall into one of two camps:
1) You need to tell them because you need help with your legal fees;
2) You feel a need to tell them because, well, that's how you cope, or feel better, or forgive yourself or whatever.
The first thing that you should do is evaluate yourself.
How old are you?
If you are under 21 it is probably a no brainer that you should tell them. You got a DUI before you are even old enough to drink, so you probably lack the emotional maturity to handle this by yourself. If this applied to you, just come right out and tell them. You don't need to make a special dinner or anything. You don't need to butter them up. Just come right out with it.
If you are over 21 you might think twice. You are probably trying to assert your independence from then as an adult. If this applies to you, you might consider growing up and trying to handle it on your own.
If you are over 30 years old and you are telling you parents for any kind of emotional or financial support, you might consider instead taking a good hard look in the mirror. Perhaps your parents or your relationship with them is part of the problem, not the solution. Perhaps it is time to cut the umbilical cord and take responsibility for yourself before you are 40 years old and living in their garage.
If you look at telling your parents as a sort of confessional, consider going to church, or synagog or mosque, get a shrink, go to some support group meetings, go get lost in the woods for a week and find yourself. I guarantee that if you are a legal adult and need to lean on mom or dad for this, then you have larger issues than the DUI arrest anyways.
Think about your parents.
What will the knowledge of your DUI arrest do to them? Will it hurt them? Is it better to spare them that pain?
Is it revenge?
Perhaps you somehow blame your parents for your DUI. What didn't they give you? Do you come from an alcoholic home? Do you want to hurt them with the knowledge of your DUI? If so, then you should tell them only after you are through it and safely on the other side. Your best revenge may be to succeed, and nothing says success under these circumstances better than getting through a major life obstacle without the help or guidance of your parents.
In a nutshell:
Evaluate why you want to tell your mom or dad about your DUI arrest. If your motives are pure and the good of telling them outweighs the bad, then just come right out and tell them. No sense in beating around the bush.
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