![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Raising parents is a tough job!
Mar. 20th, 2005 11:20 pmI went out to lunch with my mom today. I only see her every other month or so, when I have to go to the bay area for some reason or other and stay at her house. I feel kind of bad about that, since I usually spend more time with friends on those visits than with my mom. Still, she works till 5 then falls asleep early, so our paths don't cross much.
Anyway, we got to talking about my brother and sister-in-law who have been having problems for the last 6 months or so. This led to a discussion of other members of my extended family, and how certain people feel about other people. We talked about how various relatives feel about my mom and dad's situation (separated nearly 4 years, still get along, no plans to formally divorce but not getting back together again either). I usually get my dad's perspective on the situation and their marriage in general, but toda I got mom's side. It's funny how they contradict each other. They each claim the other does the same thing. Mom says Dad did a bunch of stuff, I don't know if it's true or not. Dad says Mom is this and that, I don't know if it's all true or not. I have a tendency to believe my dad, but I didn't want to think Mom was lying to my face. She claims Dad doesn't want a divorce. Dad says Mom can't make up her mind what she wants. They both tell different versions of what other family members supposedly think. I was just chuckling inside the whole conversation.
This subject led into how we kids see both parents. My mom was surprised by what my brother had told her. Then she was surprised by what I said, and she said she thought I would say she was never around. I'm just glad to live away from all the craziness. I mean, it's not like we don't get along or don't like each other, but being away has given me a different perspective. I know to nod and smile at things, and know that I can't really trust what either parent says about the other. Sometimes I ask my sister, since she still lives at home, but she and my mom are so alike, I take what she says with a grain of salt as well.
Anyway, we got to talking about my brother and sister-in-law who have been having problems for the last 6 months or so. This led to a discussion of other members of my extended family, and how certain people feel about other people. We talked about how various relatives feel about my mom and dad's situation (separated nearly 4 years, still get along, no plans to formally divorce but not getting back together again either). I usually get my dad's perspective on the situation and their marriage in general, but toda I got mom's side. It's funny how they contradict each other. They each claim the other does the same thing. Mom says Dad did a bunch of stuff, I don't know if it's true or not. Dad says Mom is this and that, I don't know if it's all true or not. I have a tendency to believe my dad, but I didn't want to think Mom was lying to my face. She claims Dad doesn't want a divorce. Dad says Mom can't make up her mind what she wants. They both tell different versions of what other family members supposedly think. I was just chuckling inside the whole conversation.
This subject led into how we kids see both parents. My mom was surprised by what my brother had told her. Then she was surprised by what I said, and she said she thought I would say she was never around. I'm just glad to live away from all the craziness. I mean, it's not like we don't get along or don't like each other, but being away has given me a different perspective. I know to nod and smile at things, and know that I can't really trust what either parent says about the other. Sometimes I ask my sister, since she still lives at home, but she and my mom are so alike, I take what she says with a grain of salt as well.
