“Parents can only give good advice or put them on the right paths, but the final forming of a person's character lies in their own hands.”
~Anne Frank
My mom told me the other day, outside of church to be exact, that I make her “feel stupid”. Wow. How do you respond to that? My whole life has been based around my mom pressuring me to “be smarter” and now she’s telling me I act too smart? With all of this hypocrisy it hard to understand what she wants from me.
Then I came across my age-worn copy of Anne Frank’s Diary. Anne Frank had some parent problems. Then again, she was stuck in an attic with them for years… But is her situation really all that different from teenagers today? I mean besides the whole “hiding from the Nazis” thing. Her relationships with those around her, reflects how I feel a majority of the time. She always gets along with her dad. She constantly argues with her mom. She likes a guy, but can’t really do anything about because everyone is watching her every move…
A friend of mine once said that being a high schooler was like being a monkey in a box with everyone watching you. For me “everyone” would be my family. I’m the only teenage girl. I’m the only honors student. I’m the only one that wants to go to college. Can you imagine my mom’s reaction when I told her that I am not top of my class? Complete Bill Cosby-head rotating-exorcist conniption fit. Scary. And when it comes to picking colleges; she’s right there with me.
“Mom. Carthage. This looks like a nice school.”
“Where is it?”
“Wisconsin.”
“No. I don’t like cheese enough to move there.”
That’s right. She used cheese as an excuse. And she wonders why I don’t want to go to an in-state college.
Why is it that parents seem to come in two types? The “I-don’t-give-a-damn”s and the “I’m-going-to-live-through-you” kinds. Don’t they realize that we need to make our own choices, even if they’re not right? Don’t mistakes make up who you are? If you never make mistakes where does that leave you? Can’t they just let go and let us find our own paths?
I know I'm a few years older than you, but I think many of us have struggles with our parents. I really use to hate it that my mom seemed to overbaring and what I think to be so close minded.
But as I got older and a mom now, I guess I can kinda see my mom (in her own wierd way) wanted what was best for me.
I also had my mother to say to me: "you think you have all the answers college student" as if I should be ashamed that I am trying to get educated. It is hard sometimes I think for parents to realize that they now have adult children and sometimes we have to make mistakes.
Just take this with you, keep in the back of your mind, your mom grew up in a different world from yours and sometimes your ideas won't mesh. However deep down she only wants what is best for you (even if she doesn't care for cheese that much ;-) smile).
Also don't feel guilty about trying new things and yes you will make mistakes. I don't know you or your mom personally but take it from me, as a mom, she'll always have your back!!!
I just played the hand I was dealt..... I'm just playin to win ;-) (rapper 2Pac)