Parenting Your Parents

Raise your hand if you’re in the phase of life where you’re parenting your parents, and they DON’T LISTEN!! Lol. I’m cracking up while typing this because the irony of the loop closing and making these moments full circle is wild. All the things I was once told, not only am I telling them to my mom, but I’m also trying to instill them in my children. 

Over the last 5 years my mom, who’s my superhero if you’re new here, has had significant health challenges. From beating stage 3 breast cancer to facing a heart attack and a stroke - my girl has been fighting for her life, quite literally. While I’ve been there every step of the way, I’ve recently recognized the shift. 

“Mom, I hear you but I just don’t think that’s a wise decision, and here’s why…”. It was that conversation that made me flashback to my mom telling me why it wasn’t a good decision for me to stay awake to watch a show with school the next day, sneak around with boys or skip school, etc. While most of my nostalgic moments make me smile, these don’t. 

This shift in our relationship dynamic makes me face the reality that my superhero is aging and her “superpowers” are changing. It’s an uncomfortable pill to swallow, but it’s the reality for many of us navigating the same situations. 
I’ve got zero answers. Lol, yeah, let me get that out of the way. I’m navigating it with you. The thing that brings me calm in my moments of angst is the opportunity I have to love my daughter. It’s like I’ve got an opportunity to plant the seeds for her to one day show me the same love I get to give my mom. 

CeCe (that’s my mom’s “hip” grandma alternative, lol), her world and independence is changing along with mine, so the more I can think about how I’m reaching back while I’m reaching forward the more gracefully I can navigate. Maybe you can too! 

Love y’all and I’m sending prayers this holiday season for all of us out here parenting our parents and embracing our new norms. 

xoLM