I have been living with my parents for a few months, moving in advance of my family, who will be joining me in another few months. To say that it’s been a bit of a shock living in my childhood home – and with my parents – would be somewhat of an understatement.
What I have found to be both frustrating and amusing is how much my parents’ habits are annoying me. I know from past experience that this is likely because their habits are revealing something about me that I would rather not admit. Example 1: clutter (who me? have a tendency to accumulate clutter? never!). Example 2: indulge in sugar (whistling and avoiding eyes, la la la la la…).
Readily, I can admit that these “faults” also tend to be my faults. What’s much harder, though, is working on those tendencies in myself. Without expecting that working on myself will set any kind of an example, or rub off on them, or make me better than they because I’m working on my faults!
Because, really, who am I to judge? If I want to work on my own “faults” for my own benefit, then good for me. If their habits are bothering me to a point where it is affecting my ability to live in the house, then I must address it with them. Otherwise, I need to just leave them alone about it. And always remember that these issues are MY issues.
My parents are wonderful, kind, generous and love me very much. How lucky am I? Who could ask for more than that?
livetobe100 