That feeling of “Do I still respect my parents”

The before

Most of us, fortunately, have been born in amazing families to very beautiful and loving parents. As a child our mom and dad mean the world to us. We can go to them for any of our greedy wants, take our complains and cry about our problems.

They will always try to fulfill your demands in the best possible way, while also shielding us from the cruel of the world outside. They will have answers to all your questions. The unconditional love and support is all that you want to limit your small world to, and your parents can never be wrong about what is best for you.

You are born to fall in love with them (This is the first time).

But sooner or later, you grow up and wander into the vast world on your own. Things start to change, when you face it alone; realizing slowly that the journey which had been made all rosy and comfy is far from reality. we start forming our own ideas and perspectives from our experiences.

And these perspectives more often are very different from those imparted to us by our parents. The conflicting views start hampering the respect that our childhood version had built for them.

By putting them on a pedestal, that they may not be able to live up to and to become an ideal for us, we expect a lot from them in our small worlds, which the outside world fails to maintain for long enough.

Their promises feel false, you cant trust them anymore. You cant be friends again. You cant listen or share openly now.

the second time part…after

One fine day the realization strikes, they too are only human.

And you understand why your parents did what they did. The pedestal is gone and you finally give them permission to be wrong. You no longer want to confront them with your viewpoints, but you acknowledge that with their differing experiences, they could be wrong about things, wrong about decisions that they made for you; but even still they loved you and always tried to do the best for you.

You respect them for the mistakes they have made and will make. And you, my lovely reader are no better or worse than them, no matter how different you think your life has been from theirs.

Your parents programmed you to the best of their abilities, with the resources they had and according to the environment which was prevalent at the time and the mindset they grew in. The world might have changed in this while and if things are different outside, it is your responsibility to upgrade yourself and reprogram yourself, without the guilt of getting detached from themselves.

But do still love them…