• modifier@lemmy.ca
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    10
    ·
    3 months ago

    When your kids are grown, the very idea that they want to hang out with you is an immense source of pride.

    • LucasWaffyWaf@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      2
      ·
      3 months ago

      As somebody who had a traumatic upbringing (lost dad at a young age, mom allowed an abusive father figure into our lives, grew up closeted LGBT with a very right wing Christian mother), it honestly feels weird and almost alien seeing people with good, healthy relationships with their parent or parents. I can’t deny there’s occasional jealousy, but just the thought of having the desire to just, be with my mom and do stuff with her? It’s one that never crosses my mind.

      Like I’ll see folks online talking about their parents and how they see them as close friends in their adulthoods, and that’s always righteous to see! But then I look at the woman who called me a selfish attention seeking brat when I admitted to her I’d nearly blasted my brains open with a shotgun (at the time I was trapped in an emotionally and sexually abusive relationship), and I can’t really bring myself to call her my friend. Just the idea of hanging out with her, watching movies or playing games… It just feels strange.

    • iheartneopets@lemm.ee
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      2
      ·
      3 months ago

      My biggest actual goal with raising my kids. I wanna make sure they want to come home and hang. Okay, maybe second biggest after the obvious “making sure they’re an individual who is equipped to make sound decisions and care for themselves.”

      • too_high_for_this@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        1
        ·
        3 months ago

        Keep your fridge stocked with their favorite stuff. The way to anyone’s heart is through the stomach.

        My dad stopped buying chocolate milk a few years ago and now they wonder why I don’t visit them as much. I’m 34 and chocolate milk is still a great incentive. Shit’s expensive.