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| Isn't he a beauty? |
One of the items on the list of 36 questions that Elisabeth and I went over was "for what in your life do you feel most grateful?" and the subsequent question was "if you could change anything about the way you were raised, what would it be?" I thought today would be a good day to share my answer with you.
I told Elisabeth (and Belle) that I was very happy that my family has let me be me. They have always been there for me, and even though we did not get all of the newest coolest most expensive things growing up, I never wanted for anything, and I learned the value of money from them. But best of all, when I say that I am going to go to Nepal and climb a mountain, or quit my job and ride my bike around, they barely even blink an eye. Sure, they wanted me to go to college and to make something of myself, but they have never put limits on what that "something" was and have always been supportive of whatever it is that I choose. This is priceless and has given me the confidence to try new things and go to new places, as I always know that they will have my back.
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| Snowshoeing with Mom and Dad |
As far as changing anything about how I was raised, I am happy with it. When I was younger, I probably thought I worked too much, did not get to see my friends enough, and did not play enough sports, but looking back now, I know that I had a lot of good things in my life. Great job, Mom and Dad; thanks for being there for me! ♥
I will keep this short today so that everyone can have enough time to get the food on the table, and even if you are not cooking today, you are probably tired of reading long posts from me anyway!
What are you grateful for? If you could change anything about how you were raised, what would it be?
If you haven't already, you can fill out this form with any questions you want answered for my next ask me anything post!!
This post is part of NaBloPoMo. You can find the rest of my posts for this challenge here. You can find the list of participants and their information here.
Well, I would change a lot of things, to be honest, but those things would mean a) the people in question would have to change significantly, and b) maybe I'd be a different person with a different upbringing, who knows, life is a journey. I think parents do the best they can but sometimes it's not great, you know?
ReplyDeleteI agree. However, I also think that whatever happened in the past has shaped you into yourself and I think the person you are is a good one! I don't wish a bad past on anyone, but if you can escape it and be a stronger, better person, that is a triumph!
DeleteThis was such a great introspective question and I loved discussing it in person. I had to laugh that the thing Belle wished she could change about her upbringing was having a big sister. That is one thing out of my parental control - haha.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I suppose you could adopt...or you could give her a little sister! 😊
DeleteI kind of feel like Nicole. There are things I wish I could change, but they are impossible asks. I wish I had grown up in a more diverse area - I grew up in a tiny town with a graduating class of 28. Sports was the focus and if you weren’t athletic, you were kind of an outcast. And I was not traditionally athletic. I did not really make true friends until I went to college and realized that others will value things like being smart and academic. I was depressed for much of my teens because I was so so lonely and often mistreated. I am glad my boys will grow up in a diverse area where they are more likely to find their people earlier in life. I love that Paul already has unique extracurriculars like chess! I would have totally been drawn to something like that.
ReplyDeleteHappy Thanksgiving! I’m thankful for our friendship!!
I agree with you about the diverse area. I also wish I was closer to my friends and town, which was 40 miles away. We could not just hang out with friends after school; it always had to be planned and was a bit of a production, which could be part of why I am more rigid about plans to this day! Actually, my Dad grew up in the same place as I did, and when I asked my parents this question, he said that he wished he lived closer to town. My Mom wishes they did not move around so much, as it was hard to make friends as a kid. So all of ours were about friends, I guess. Happy Thanksgiving to you, friend! I am glad to have you in my life!
DeleteHappy T Day!
ReplyDeleteThe internet isn't big enough for me to tell you everything that I am grateful for, especially on my favorite holiday. Right now I'm snuggled up on the couch with the dog looking forward to a day of cooking and then a big family get together tonight.
What Nicole said - I would change a lot of things about the way that I was raised. Good intentions/not always the best execution.
Have a great Thanksgiving with the fam, Birchie! I bet doggo is looking forward to her first family Thanksgiving!
DeleteIt is amazing that your family is so supportive and encouraging of your travel. I wasn't allowed to go on spring break in college, because I didn't have a job yet (I was a senior). Um, I went anyway. Ha. I grew up in a family with lots of focus on my two younger brothers. Lots of double standards. Add to that my two older sisters were goody-goodies who did not wrong. I was glossed over a lot or blamed for stuff, but really - I don't think I would be me if I hadn't grown up that way. I also think my upbringing informed my parenting, and I think that's been a gift to my own children. I do not play favorites. One thing I would've preferred was a bit more focus when I was going to college/choosing a major. I wish my folks would've urged me to play to my strengths so I could've had the tools to figure out a career that I was invested in. *sigh* My childhood wasn't horrible or abusive, and I was truly blessed in so many ways. Thankfully I'm able to look back and see things with a sense of humor, and that's provided me with a lot of material as I write personal essays/memoir.
ReplyDeleteThat is funny, as I am the elder of two and I feel like my brother probably feels that I am the "goody-goody older sister who can't do no wrong" and I feel like he was not held up to the same standards as I was... so it depends on who you talk to! One of my good friends is a middle child of three and she was kind of ignored more than the others, but because of this, she is technically the "rebel" of the family. She is also very high energy compared to her siblings! I don't know if that has anything to do with anything.
DeleteI also wish that either the school or my parents would have encouraged me to reach a little higher when applying to college. Maybe they did and I ignored them, but I had pretty good grades and I feel like I picked schools due to cost rather than my abilities. However, in the end, I turned out okay, so I am good with it now.
I'm definitely the family rebel/black sheep. I think the reason I take no sh*t from anyone as an adult, is because as a kid I had no choice. Family constantly rolled their eyes at me, or cared little that things that impacted me weren't fair. Ie: younger brothers getting dibs on the car, because they were boys. Ugh. I find birth order so interesting.
DeleteThis is so beautiful and I know want to ask your parents how did they do that? having kids, I can't imagine not having expectations for them or worry about them. I can't imagine the day my girls will travel alone, so definitely will blink a lot if you say you are going to Nepal alone. What do you think made them raise you this way?
ReplyDeleteI also have nothing I want to change of my life, we had a lot going on as immigrate family and my parents worried about money and surviving in a new country. yet, the whole experience made who I am and I'm deeply grateful and admire their courage.
Thanks Coco. I agree; I am not saying that my parents did everything perfectly, but what they did shaped me into who I am and I am happy with that! You are traveling to wild and crazy places too; what do your parents think about all of your travels?
DeleteHow wonderful that your parents are so supportive! Mine are too, and I'm so grateful for that. I can't think of anything I'd change about how I was raised. I mean, no one is perfect, but my parents always talked to me and listened to me, and we're still close.
ReplyDeleteSure, nobody is perfect, but the important points were there! I am glad you also have a good relationship with your family!
DeleteYour parents trusted that they raised a self-sufficient, functioning adult who can make their own decisions... and that is all true!
ReplyDeleteThey did! And I am really glad that they did!
DeleteI think it's amazing that there isn't anything you would change about your upbringing! That says a lot. There is so much I would change, but that's because I had a traumatic childhood and while it made me the person I am today, I wish I didn't have to go through those specific things to get here.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree. I wish you did not have to go through those things either! But you are a wonderful person now!
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