Since today is St. Patrick's day I feel an uplifting blog...even though it's an Irish holiday and I'm Scottish (Wallace clan, look it up...or watch Braveheart)...it's my brother's b-day and my grandparent's anniversary so I think something about family is appropriate...
I've gone through a lot in the past few years (with my mom and friends and school) and I've come to realize recently how important my family is to me...but it's the concept of family that means the most. What is family to you and how important is it in your life? What happens to kids who's family doesn't really care about them?
I know for me my perception of family is quite untraditional. I know a lot of people have step parents and siblings, but I've come to accept mine beyond the point of just living together. I honestly don't know where I'd be today if it wasn't for my dad and step-mom...she's really been more of a mother to me than my own ever could've been. I appreciate everything they do for me and all the lessons I've learned from them. They are probably the most important aspect of my life right now when I'm trying to make all these life altering decisions.
I do, however, know the other side of the story all to well. I grew up in a home with essentially no supervision until I came to live with my dad. I got away with whatever I wanted without my mom so much as raising an eyebrow...sure I know my mom loves me...but she just didn't care. I would purposely get in serious trouble just to get her to pay attention to me and to get some structure in my life. That was a hard adjustment to make when I moved in with my dad. I know that in the cases of many of my friends the same thing has happened.
I can't say I know b/c I'm not a parent, but I don't understand how you could just not care about your children and what they are doing. I think all parents need to be involved with their kids' lives. Even if us as teens hate it now...chances are we'll be the same way someday. Don't you think?
I think when you are a teenager is when you need the most love and support from your families. Even college students need a little support when they finish high school and start to move on. Everything that was semi-routine and "normal" is almost stripped immediately from you and you are kind of on your own. That's how I viewed it at least. I was in a different position. I had a choice to live with either parent, and there wasn't really a good choice. My dad worked too much and my mom... Well read the blog. Nothing has changed. I think kids just need a little normalcy.
absolutely...which is why I love my step mom so much...even when my dad is testy b/c of his back or working crazy hours to provide for our family...she makes sure I maintain the lifestyle I'm used to and that I know there's always someone there for me...it's been a huge pillar in my life
Not to be totally off topic even though it is.. yesterday wasn't St. Patrick's day. The pope changed it to Saturday because yesterday, Monday, was the start to Holy week. So he changed it to Saturday, but basically everybody still celebrated yesterday.
Now back to your topic of family. I was one pain in the ass when I was in high school, and without my parents yelling at me or giving me direction, I would most likely be living at home still and not attending college away from home. I didn't do drugs or anything but I talked back, lied, snuck out, etc. I don't know how they did it but they did! I am SO thankful for my parents because they really got me on the right track. Family really is so so important, I just wished everbody recognized that. I am not a parent either, but I sure don't understand why some parents just don't give a damn.
st. patrick's day will always be the 17th...lol
yeah I went way above and beyond that with my mom...but I luckily go a lot of guidance from my dad and step mom...I was beyond angry with them at times...but I thank them for it soooo much now...I just wish they knew how much they mean to me