Ok, so we're not going to pretend that after reading this your children will mistake you for P-Diddy but with a little practical advice you could be on-track to demoting the phrase "you're soooo embarrassing" to a healthier frequency.

The sooner you accept that your kids are not going invite you to pick them up from the school dance from the front of the venue or come running to you for your opinion on the new Kaiser Chiefs album the better. Acceptance is key.

Be yourself. Children, teenagers in particular, have radars that can spot an adult trying too hard from at least a 15 mile radius. Some aspects of your personality they won't yet understand and thus may find them nauseating, but they will grow up to appreciate them one day. Just wait.

Here are some of the most common situations that breed embarrassment as well as some things parents do that you think are for the best (bless you) but really make your child want to make like an American and file for divorce.

Pop picker

Try, or should we say always, ask them exactly what they want for any traditional present-purchasing occasion. Being a fan of The Black Eye Peas does not warrant a gift of the Now 78 you found in Help The Aged. Clothes are another danger zone. Buying vouchers for Top Shop is a much safer option than three woolly jumpers from Peacocks. And shoes? Forget it.

Parents also seem to have the bright idea of buying things that they need rather than want. If they need a new pack of pants, buy them on a separate occasion rather than forcing them to use their amateur dramatic skills to evoke the expression of excitement when they open a elaborately-packaged PSP-shaped box.

Guest and honour

We all know that you know more about them than they are aware of so if you "overheard" a telephone conversation about Kelly "lipsing*" Mike behind the bike sheds it's wise to not repeat this information to Mike when he pops over for tea.

Keep quick conversations in the hall brief, polite and un-interrogative. The truth is your child's companion really won't mind in-depth conversation about who you think the next Prime Minister will be but your kid will.

Shows of affection, pet names and licking your finger and rubbing toothpaste residue off their cheek, are also no-goes when you have the pleasure of their pal's company.

If you have warning of a rendezvous, a quick scour for underwear drying on the banister and prevention of unexpected nudity from the other residents of your household will be appreciated. This also means locking the bathroom door when occupying this potential mine field of explosive embarrassment.

The clothes show

You are of two totally different generations and this must be appreciated. Discovering fashion plays a big part of growing up which they will discover in their own time. When they start emerging from their room looking like an extra from a hip-hop video, contain your disparagement and let them get on with it. Remember the time you went back and put on an extra pair of socks when your parents told you to? No? Exactly.

Now we wouldn't want to hinder your own freedom of expression but when attending Parents Evening think twice before; a) wearing anything you would class as "vibrant", b) anything borrowed from your child's wardrobe.

Listen and learn

On the occasions where your children manage to muster something other than a grunt, listen and absorb what they say. Don't nit-pick inaccuracies and make corrections in the company of others, this only undermines them.

Allow them to finish what they say and get to the bottom of what they mean. Butting-in is rude when talking to adults and is additionally demeaning when done to children.

*Slang for kissing