Multi-deminsional: Parents

Last night, I was with a friend waiting for the bus and as they were looking at the schedule their stance reminded them of a comment made by their father. My friend Sam* said that he was looking at a picture with his hand on his hip and his father said, "Why are you standing like that?"
"Like what?" Sam replied.
"Like that! It's feminine!" He answered in a thick Creole accent.
Sam recalled his confusion and questioned whether or not it was because of the fact that his hand was on his hip, or maybe his hip was cocked, or maybe...he couldn't figure it out.

His confusion with the episode reminded me of my older brother's over analysis of my Dad's comments towards him. Additionally, the way he brushed off his Dad's opinion made we wonder about the nature of their relationship.

"Do you get along well with your Dad?" I asked.

Sam's reply was a culmination of the feelings I had towards my father, which had taken years and tears to understand. Yet, Sam made it sound so simple.

"I respect my Dad as a guy. But as a husband and father, I can say that I agree with what he's done."

For those who struggle with parental relationships for whatever reason, relax. Although you may feel anger towards one of your parents it is not because of hate. It is simply a break down of respect. We all have our own standards based on our past experiences. You should always respect your parents because they are people, your elders to be exact. However, you do not have to respect the decisions they make as a husband or parent because those decisions are based on their past. Until you understand their past and why they are the way that they are, you will not respect that side of them.

What comments or sayings from parents get under your skin or do you find repeating to yourself?

Kick it!