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My Unconventional Family
I was raised in an unconventional family, kind of a single-parent family. But before you start feeling sorry for me, let me tell you -- it wasn't like that.
My single-parent was a cross-dresser with multiple personality disorder. But no one can tell me we weren't a real family.
Mom was the solid one. Always baking cookies, ready to listen to my problems. There for me at teacher's conferences and after school. I could always really pour my heart out to Mom.
That's not to say that Dad wasn't there for me too. It's just that he was a little more distant, you know, sort of like Dads can be. But he was always interesting and interested in me. On weekends we'd toss the baseball around and talk about guy-stuff. Sports, a little politics, cars, girls.
When we did barbeques, Mom would always get things prepared and beautiful and then she'd sort of make herself scarce, giving Dad the space to express his own masculine cookout persona, beer in hand, sweating over "the barbie" (Dad's from Australia), talking the latest ball scores with the neighborhood guys.
Of course, not ever having them around at the same time was a little tough. But I think it made me stronger. After all, there are plenty of kids whos have a parent say, in the military. They might not see them for lengthy tours of duty -- that could last months or even years at a time. Kids have to endure and deal with the unique situations of their parents lives and careers.
Sometimes, I've heard some psychologist or counselor say that single-parent families can be difficult for kids. For instance, when the kid is going through a phase, arguing a lot with one parent. Without the other around as an alternative, who would he have to go to, to get another point of view or just as a refuge? Or, what if at a particular point in your life, you just need your Mom. Or your Dad?
Somehow my single-parent household got the formula just right. Like magic, if I needed to confide in my Dad or needed the special comfort that only a mother can offer, I always somehow got the parent I needed.
And there's one other really good thing: The divorce rate today is through the roof. Families broken, difficult domestic environments. Our household never had a hint of such problems or discord. Very simply, my parents never argued. (Except for that one weird time in Vancouver, but that was because the meds got switched.) And travel together was a bonus. Our family trips simply cost a lot less -- it was like we got a special discount. 2/3 of the normal rate. Of course, the extra luggage charges were sometimes costly. (My Mom's tastes sometimes run to the flamboyant.)
So don't feel sorry for me. My nuclear family is tight. It can never be blown apart.
My single-parent was a cross-dresser with multiple personality disorder. But no one can tell me we weren't a real family.
Mom was the solid one. Always baking cookies, ready to listen to my problems. There for me at teacher's conferences and after school. I could always really pour my heart out to Mom.
That's not to say that Dad wasn't there for me too. It's just that he was a little more distant, you know, sort of like Dads can be. But he was always interesting and interested in me. On weekends we'd toss the baseball around and talk about guy-stuff. Sports, a little politics, cars, girls.
When we did barbeques, Mom would always get things prepared and beautiful and then she'd sort of make herself scarce, giving Dad the space to express his own masculine cookout persona, beer in hand, sweating over "the barbie" (Dad's from Australia), talking the latest ball scores with the neighborhood guys.
Of course, not ever having them around at the same time was a little tough. But I think it made me stronger. After all, there are plenty of kids whos have a parent say, in the military. They might not see them for lengthy tours of duty -- that could last months or even years at a time. Kids have to endure and deal with the unique situations of their parents lives and careers.
Sometimes, I've heard some psychologist or counselor say that single-parent families can be difficult for kids. For instance, when the kid is going through a phase, arguing a lot with one parent. Without the other around as an alternative, who would he have to go to, to get another point of view or just as a refuge? Or, what if at a particular point in your life, you just need your Mom. Or your Dad?
Somehow my single-parent household got the formula just right. Like magic, if I needed to confide in my Dad or needed the special comfort that only a mother can offer, I always somehow got the parent I needed.
And there's one other really good thing: The divorce rate today is through the roof. Families broken, difficult domestic environments. Our household never had a hint of such problems or discord. Very simply, my parents never argued. (Except for that one weird time in Vancouver, but that was because the meds got switched.) And travel together was a bonus. Our family trips simply cost a lot less -- it was like we got a special discount. 2/3 of the normal rate. Of course, the extra luggage charges were sometimes costly. (My Mom's tastes sometimes run to the flamboyant.)
So don't feel sorry for me. My nuclear family is tight. It can never be blown apart.
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This is EPIC WIN.
posted September 03, 2009 10:23pm
This is really twisted. Mom? Dad? I hate it when each of you says "talk to your mother" or "talk to your father". Can I speak with the two of you TOGETHER for once??!
posted August 31, 2009 06:29pm
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