When did you become your parent? When did you become the parent?

[Sigmund]

Hola!

I remember my Daddy walking through the house (in the day time) and saying, "Why are all the lights on? " Followed shortly by, "Do you think I'm made of money?"

My son was all of ...what? 11, 13 years old ? when I was walking through the house. I called out to him and when he came into the kitchen I said, "Watch." I opened the refrigerator door and the microwave door and said, "Now I can honestly say, every light in this house is on." Ha! (I would like to think I said basically the same thing Daddy said to all us kids and the freaking lights being on...in a funnier way. Cut me some slack. ) I had become my parent.

Leaving the doctors office, I asked my Momma, "Do you have to go the restroom before we drive back?" I had become the parent. (I have to admit, that was a punch to the throat. )

Transitions.

Transitions can be fun, cool, goodie roonie and enlightening.

Transitions.

They can be fortifying, inspiring and enlightening. (And much too soon, heartbreaking.)

Tell us your experiences, please.

I offer you Peace.

 

[morgan]

I am OCD with turning off lights because my grandpa used to yell about them too! I miss him. He used to get on us for putting too much ketchup on our plates and I think of him each time I don't use all of it.

Every time I have to go back into the house because I forgot my phone, my keys, my purse, etc., I realize I'm turning into my mother. Other ways, too - but that particular thing always stops me in my tracks.

 

[Dana Jean]

when I was a teenager, and I went somewhere and didn't check in, my mom and dad would be so angry. "Why didn't you call? You could've been laying in a ditch dead!"

And I said, "Well, first of all, if I was dead, I couldn't have called anyway. And second, if I WAS dead, you're the first people the police would've called."

The first time I got angry and asked my kids, "Why didn't you call me?" I understood it all.

 

[danie]

Perfect example of the child becoming the parent:
I was leaving the doctor's office today, and a mother and daughter were walking towards me. The daughter was probably in her 50s, the mom in her late 70s. The mom was walking tipsily slightly behind the daughter, and the daughter said, "Mother, please walk beside me. You're walking behind me again. You know I hate it when you do that."

The mom looked as if she wanted to roll her eyes at her bossy daughter.

My son does this to me a lot in Wal-Mart, and I'm constantly asking him (nicely though) to walk beside me, not behind me.

Role reversal in action.

 

[PatInTheHat]

Eh, becoming 'a parent' wasn't all that bigga deal when I married the stunningly foxy and surprisingly unstable, Mrs. PatTheHat, who had a five year old bright and bright eyed daughter.
Nah I took care of and more than babysat a few nephews for I think all my teenage years, til I moved away, so I had "parental" down pretty well.
But yeah, "Turn Out All Those Damn Lights!", is probably one of the first signs for most.
But now, 'becoming the parent', that is truly heartbreaking and painful, I mean it can have it's cute moments, sure, but damned if doesn't cut ya deep inside most of the time.
It's confusing, it's uncomfortable, it's natural I suppose, but it sure as hell doesn't feel like it, feel more out of body, kinda like your watching other people.
Taking care of Mama it actually snuck up on me, really started with me making sure meds that weren't being taken, were being taken, I didn't think much about it at the time.
Well others and sisters let me tells ya, she sure didn't miss it, it hurt her, and she let me know it, she wasn't a child, especially my child I was reminded.
Wasn't like say, me making sure the coffee pot or burners were off on the stove, did that kinda stuff without her being involved, ya just do it and go on, but after a few, "Time for your pills sweety", that was different.
And things change, ya suck it up, it's not like there's a choice, and ya go on.

 

[swiftdog2.0]

I had an "oh man" moment with a coworker last year. Younger guy (in his early 20's) was being a wise guy in a meeting I was running. I asked him "do you always have to be such a smarta**?" Which is something my Dad used to say to me all the time.

Helping care for my Dad during the last couple of years of his life was tough as well. Watching him waste away was tough.


Now that my Dad has passed I'm the one that has to take my Mom to her medical appointments and such because she won't drive into the city. I also have to do all the upkeep and what not at SwiftMoms house as well. Being a responsible adult sucks!

 

[Dana Jean]

I had an "oh man" moment with a coworker last year. Younger guy (in his early 20's) was being a wise guy in a meeting I was running. I asked him "do you always have to be such a smarta**?" Which is something my Dad used to say to me all the time.

Now that my Dad has passed I'm the one that has to take my Mom to her medical appointments and such because she won't drive into the city. I also have to do all the upkeep and what not at SwiftMoms house as well. Being a responsible adult sucks!

But you will be blessed.