Don't become the monster; Don't stare at me like a monster

Ugh. Parents just don't seem to ever understand. They CAN'T understand me because they don't know what it's like to be a kid/teen.

Doesn't that seem to be the anthem of the youth? I was thinking about how funny that whole notion is--how innately complex it is. Let's think about it for a second; let's think about the duplexity.

One one side, we say parents just don't understand, but the reality is they understand all too well. Sure, times are different, technology has changed, etc., but at the end of the day, parents were once kids, teens, young adults too.  They understand that you'll face trials and tribulations, honest.

Following that vein, isn't it odd how that's perpetually the cry of teens? Like, as a teen you sit there and say your parents just don't understand.  Then you grow up and you become the parent who doesn't understand. It's quite odd, really.  It has Nietzsche written all over it; don't stare at the monster too long or the monster will become you.

Hmm...It's really weird how that works. Don't you think?  Is it that as we get older we forget? Or do we just learn? Maybe a combination of both.

I have a solution, I think; okay, it's more of a suggestion.  I propose if you aren't yet a parent, you should write a letter to yourself from yourself as a reminder.  Remind yourself how you felt when your parents didn't understand.  Remind yourself you'll be more understanding. Remind yourself to trust.

I think doing so may solve some problems.  For one, when you are a parent you can show it to your kids as proof that you actually felt what they felt--that you didn't just one day come out as an adult.  Secondly, I think it could potentially help the transformation from kid to adult and the learning/forgetting that coincides with it.  I do think as people become parents they learn that maybe their parents weren't so bad after all, and that they had a lot of good intentions; however, I also think some forgetting occurs.  As a parent, so it seems, you get this extra sense of responsibility (usually) because now you have someone else's life besides your own to worry for.  You can't be as reckless as you once were. Problematically, you somewhat forget how you once felt.  See, one can worry all they want, but they can't control everything. I can not trust my child and try to control what he or she does, but ultimately natural law and my child's decision making will play huge roles in the outcome. We need to maintain empathy and trust.  Learn about why some rules are great, but don't rule with iron clad fists.

There seems to be a fine line in parenthood, unfortunately.  Crossing too far one way or another is dangerous.  If we write a letter to ourselves to remind ourselves about distant memories, it may help us say closer to that line.  It's easy to forget.  At the same time, we as kids or other kids need to remember that parents are doing things from experience.  If we maintain an open dialogue without getting so moody, maybe we can learn more about each other's situation.  I know, kids are moody and many times egocentric, but I know there are real solutions to the real problems we face. We just need to keep trying.

Can you dig it?