05 Jul 2021

Ever since I can remember, my parents have always been about upholding traditional values.

They think there is nothing else out there that is more successful than becoming a dentist, lawyer or doctor. They talk poorly of people that have been divorced because the typical traditional family structure must have one dad and one mum, as they say.

They have narrow-minded and conservative views when it comes to the progressive society we live in today. I need to get married before I have a child or move in with my partner. I need to leave the door open when my boyfriend is over. Yada yada, you get the gist.

How has that impacted my life growing up? Well…

I would lie to my parents about what I was getting up to. I’d say I was studying at the library when I was window shopping with my friends (Thursday night shopping was the bomb diggity). Or I’d have a friend cover for me when I was really with my boyfriend (maybe at the movies or chilling with ex-in-law parental supervision).

My parents never really cared about the comments in my reports. They cared about the mark. It was never about how much effort I put into it, it was how I weighed up to my teachers. It was because teacher-parent interviews were a waste of time, apparently. It was because driving me to extracurricular activities felt like a chore to my parents, like c'mon, Anime club was a necessity.

Had your eyes set on creative passions? Nope, you’ve gotta do Mathematics in Year 12 to get places in life because that’ll get you a job in the real world. Hmm, not.

What about school camps? I wasn’t allowed to go to any camp prior to being double digits, my first camp being Canberra. Questacon was my fave, duh.

Don’t get me started on sleepovers - I didn’t have my first one until I was 12. My parents packed me a massive duffle bag with sheets, blankets, and pillows. Apparently, other households don’t have these things.

Look, I love my parents to the moon and back. They have sacrificed so much for me growing up but there are times where I think, “I could be on the side of the gutter, drunk, drugged up and with three kids roaming the streets but hey, I think I turned out okay”.

But, they fail to understand that the world is changing. People are no longer marrying young, living in their forever home, starting a family by 25, and staying married “‘til death do us part”. 

Although I ranted on about the above, I wouldn’t change a thing. I definitely do not want to give off the vibe that I'm ungrateful - I was lucky to grow up with two parental figures, guiding me in the direction of being a mature, young adult. Sure, I missed out on a few things as a child and told some little white lies but I’m here and healthy, right? I can be honest with them now, tell them stories and we all laugh back at them. 

Love ya, mum and dad!