There is a lot of joy and discoveries of the meaning of life in having kids. Parents finally see that they can create life, they can play God (or recombine DNA into pleasing mutations--whatever), but rarely do they speak to the feelings they have about their kids and how their kids have altered their lives. If parents do speak about them, its in hushed tones and there is always guilt involved. Always. So its sort of refreshing to hear parents sharing how they really feel about their kids. From Mom Logic, some reasons why she hates her kids:
--Because of them, I'll never, ever, ever, get my flat stomach back. I know they're to blame 'cause they were the last ones in there.
--Just once I'd like to hear the sound of my washing machine NOT running.
-- If it weren't for them, I would never have to set foot in that demonic mouse palace known as Chuck E. Cheese.
--I used to really like to have sex--that's how I managed to pop out two kids in the first place. Now I'm so tired, I'd rather stick a fork in my eye.
When your kids grow up though and they are no longer toddlers, elementary school aged kids, but high school and college-aged kids, you can still hate them. From my own experience:
--They grow up and after years of absorbing learn how to do it yourself lessons, they think they no longer need you.
--They prefer Facebook to you.
--They magnify, generally by a factor of 3, all of your personality faults.
--They have ZERO appreciation for what you have sacrificed in your life so that they can have a decent shot at college.
In thinking about it though, and after talking to my parents, who are comfortably retired now, they can still hate us too:
--They assume that by selling off our house when we die that they will be able to pay off their credit card debt.
--They have made no provisions for our care when we are unable to take care of ourselves. Honestly, I think they wish we would both die in a car crash and make it easier on them. (This is my mom talking).
--They all marry and divorce too easily nowadays. They are like salamanders after the spring thaw.
And so it goes. Parenting is a challenge for your ENTIRE life.
3 comments:
Welcome to the generational gap, SR. I learn more from my kids today than I knew when I was there age. It is a two way lane. I wonder when looking back over our lives how they turned out so great and I go so damn old too soon. I ma puttering here in Atlanta until my DIL graduates fast track nursing college in December and Granny is getting the wheels back on her buggy, feeding my horse corn and molasses, and got my whip had working good. I plan to tackle some college degree or learn to tune auto engines, like Dad, or cake decorating and inlay tile or attend electrical school and work with my hubby when he has a job to do now and then. I hate to hover and mark time but it was necessary these last 3 years. I will be spending time with the hubby on the back roads of Jawja somewhere and might even end up in NC or Dothan, AL where D-mama lives. I wonder if they are still paying that $50,000, if you live there 5 years? I need to check on
it. I could by a nice little 5th wheel trailer for that dough and let the hosses run!
GA Peach
There has to be a flip side of this such as "10 Reasons To Love Your Kids". Paul Simeon came up with 50 Ways To Leave Your Lover. How about it, SR? What are the 10 Reasons To Love Your Kids"? Other than the tax write-off.
wow, this is horrible.
makes me feel like i wasnt even wanted..
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