There's one thing that everyone knows, whether they accept it or not- parents are the only people we can count on no matter what. I'm one of those lucky kids who's gotten everything from my parents! And no, I'm not some spoiled, irritating brat that always gets things her way (not even close to that). They've given me everything, but made sure I don't have too much. I've always been able to look up to them and think- I'll be like them some day. They truly HAVE been everywhere, every time, all the time for me. And now I'm growing up. I'm no longer the kid who couldn't balance her bicycle, or the kid who needs her mom to dress her up for a party. I've grown up, or at least I think so.
Everyone has read those dramatic messages about how we love our parents when we're little, then we start hating them as we grow up (because we think they're wrong), and again, we notice how right they were....except that it's too late when the last part happens. I won't say I always understood why my mom made me eat all those pathetic, green-veggies, neither did I know why my dad thought kids shouldn't have a mobile phone of their own. But today, I look at a lot of kids who's parents couldn't say no, and know exactly why mine were right (though that doesn't happen always).
I believe that a person starts growing up when their parents can start sharing things with them. It feels funny to think that I'm my mom's councilor. No kidding! We sit for hours and talk about things that make her life messy, people who make it impossible, and health that doesn't seem to mind going south all the time. She feels better, and I feel better. Okay, so I don't say you necessarily have to be good at counselling or being the older one when/if your parents share a problem with you. But you have to understand, and think of it like this sometimes- they have problems too, even if they don't say. And since they're way older than you are, most of their problems aren't even a part of your life yet, so they won't expect you to be able to understand (even though you're the smart-ass that you are). So even if you want to tell them off because they didn't get you the latest iPhone for your birthday or if they made you eat things you'd never feed to your children, think again- you aren't a parent yet (and if you are, you obviously understand).
If your parents are telling you to grow up, face things or maybe be your own age (since you talk back so much), you should get the hint- you're still a kid to them. It doesn't matter to them if you're in your diapers, or ready to change your own kid's diapers, they're still going to tell you you're wrong, or tell you that their way was better. And that's natural. Coz if you're stubborn, they're your parents. So they're always going to beat you in that race. People say a woman is always right. I'd modify that one and say- parents are always right!! So the next time you feel like taking your stance on life and giving them a loud lecture on how unfair they are (or just walking into your room and slamming the door on their face), give it a second thought and listen to what they're saying. At the end, they will feel like they're being heard, and probably let you go do what you want to do anyways. ;)
Do you crib for pocket-money? I know I do. We all do. There's never enough money, and there's always so much stuff we haven't bought yet, or ate yet, or played with yet. Not all of us have the richest dads/moms on earth, and so, I won't be wrong when I say there's always a lecture on how we spend too much, too fast. There's probably also a story that follows the lecture, telling you how little money was there in your parents' pockets when they came to the city first, or something like that. Well, it's hard to imagine a time like that today. Everything's just so much more easier for us. So, if you could just let them see that you aren't going to keep begging for a raise in your pocket-money for the rest of your life, they won't mind the timely raise. And how would you show them that? Well, help around the house with chores and ask them to pay you. Try working at McDonald's or work for e-lance (if you ever get hired). Earn the money you want; they won't mind spending their entire savings on you if they have to (doesn't mean you make them do that). :)
And what about the time your dad didn't take you on a vacation like he had promised to or mom didn't buy you the pretty pink pumps that weren't on sale? You hate them for not giving importance to what you wanted, or think that they don't care about you. Well, they're working real hard while you sit and complain about how it's the end of the world. Maybe your dad had an important meeting that promoted him or raised his pay, and that you'll get an even better trip this time! And maybe your mom was just waiting for the shoe store to put a flat 50% on those pumps so that she could use the rest of the money to buy you a new dress too! Or maybe not. I mean, yeah, paint yourself a rosy picture, it helps sometimes, but at other times it might just make you even more disappointed. So maybe think of it like your dad couldn't make a trip for you coz he was genuinely busy, and your mom just forget about your shoes altogether. They are humans, cut them some slack. Come to think of it, you'd probably give those shoes to your house-maid next year, and you'd forget about that trip once everyone's FB 'likes' died down. :P
There's always something that won't go your way, and you should feel blessed that you have someone to blame - your parents. They on the other hand, are the independent ones, who are answerable to you every time, since you're always complaining. So try getting on their good side- listen to their problems, share your own(instead of imposing), use some of your pocket money to buy them a better birthday present this time and try understanding just a little more than you do today. Give them somebody to count on, maybe even blame once in a while. Coz the only time you really grow up is when you become your parents' parent. :)
Everyone has read those dramatic messages about how we love our parents when we're little, then we start hating them as we grow up (because we think they're wrong), and again, we notice how right they were....except that it's too late when the last part happens. I won't say I always understood why my mom made me eat all those pathetic, green-veggies, neither did I know why my dad thought kids shouldn't have a mobile phone of their own. But today, I look at a lot of kids who's parents couldn't say no, and know exactly why mine were right (though that doesn't happen always).
I believe that a person starts growing up when their parents can start sharing things with them. It feels funny to think that I'm my mom's councilor. No kidding! We sit for hours and talk about things that make her life messy, people who make it impossible, and health that doesn't seem to mind going south all the time. She feels better, and I feel better. Okay, so I don't say you necessarily have to be good at counselling or being the older one when/if your parents share a problem with you. But you have to understand, and think of it like this sometimes- they have problems too, even if they don't say. And since they're way older than you are, most of their problems aren't even a part of your life yet, so they won't expect you to be able to understand (even though you're the smart-ass that you are). So even if you want to tell them off because they didn't get you the latest iPhone for your birthday or if they made you eat things you'd never feed to your children, think again- you aren't a parent yet (and if you are, you obviously understand).
If your parents are telling you to grow up, face things or maybe be your own age (since you talk back so much), you should get the hint- you're still a kid to them. It doesn't matter to them if you're in your diapers, or ready to change your own kid's diapers, they're still going to tell you you're wrong, or tell you that their way was better. And that's natural. Coz if you're stubborn, they're your parents. So they're always going to beat you in that race. People say a woman is always right. I'd modify that one and say- parents are always right!! So the next time you feel like taking your stance on life and giving them a loud lecture on how unfair they are (or just walking into your room and slamming the door on their face), give it a second thought and listen to what they're saying. At the end, they will feel like they're being heard, and probably let you go do what you want to do anyways. ;)
Do you crib for pocket-money? I know I do. We all do. There's never enough money, and there's always so much stuff we haven't bought yet, or ate yet, or played with yet. Not all of us have the richest dads/moms on earth, and so, I won't be wrong when I say there's always a lecture on how we spend too much, too fast. There's probably also a story that follows the lecture, telling you how little money was there in your parents' pockets when they came to the city first, or something like that. Well, it's hard to imagine a time like that today. Everything's just so much more easier for us. So, if you could just let them see that you aren't going to keep begging for a raise in your pocket-money for the rest of your life, they won't mind the timely raise. And how would you show them that? Well, help around the house with chores and ask them to pay you. Try working at McDonald's or work for e-lance (if you ever get hired). Earn the money you want; they won't mind spending their entire savings on you if they have to (doesn't mean you make them do that). :)
And what about the time your dad didn't take you on a vacation like he had promised to or mom didn't buy you the pretty pink pumps that weren't on sale? You hate them for not giving importance to what you wanted, or think that they don't care about you. Well, they're working real hard while you sit and complain about how it's the end of the world. Maybe your dad had an important meeting that promoted him or raised his pay, and that you'll get an even better trip this time! And maybe your mom was just waiting for the shoe store to put a flat 50% on those pumps so that she could use the rest of the money to buy you a new dress too! Or maybe not. I mean, yeah, paint yourself a rosy picture, it helps sometimes, but at other times it might just make you even more disappointed. So maybe think of it like your dad couldn't make a trip for you coz he was genuinely busy, and your mom just forget about your shoes altogether. They are humans, cut them some slack. Come to think of it, you'd probably give those shoes to your house-maid next year, and you'd forget about that trip once everyone's FB 'likes' died down. :P
There's always something that won't go your way, and you should feel blessed that you have someone to blame - your parents. They on the other hand, are the independent ones, who are answerable to you every time, since you're always complaining. So try getting on their good side- listen to their problems, share your own(instead of imposing), use some of your pocket money to buy them a better birthday present this time and try understanding just a little more than you do today. Give them somebody to count on, maybe even blame once in a while. Coz the only time you really grow up is when you become your parents' parent. :)
