While I am writing this way ahead of my time, there's no guarantee you haven't said to your parents or friends, "When I'm a parent, I would never do this/that to my kids."

I am a strong believer that parenting is a reflection of your own personal experiences and values. I mean, what other source do you have than real-life experiences? Parenting is not a course you take in school, or a special skill you are born with. So, you literally have to live and learn, by trusting your instincts and what you know.

I will never judge my kids or influence who they date. Why? Because love is love. Sure, I'll most likely have an opinion. But when you are young, there is no doubt that finding someone you become emotionally connected to is the best and worst feeling in the world. There is nothing wrong with being single, and there should be no rush in finding a relationship or getting into one at all for the first time.

That's the point, though. Young love is mostly derived from friendships, mutual friends, parties, and even social media. Young love is the kind of love you don't forget. You look back and you laugh at how naive you were, or how silly the whole relationship was. You look back and realize the lessons you've learned, but sometimes you look back and regret.

I don't want my kids to feel like they cannot fully love wholeheartedly because of me. I don't want them to hold back on their own values or their feelings from being afraid that I won't accept them. It is true that kids are more prone to lie and act opposite of what they are told when being suppressed. The culture of the younger generations is constantly changing, and it is important we nurture kids to live and love freely. To feel all the levels of sadness when they are sad, and feeling all levels of happiness when happy. We cannot expect ourselves to pick and choose how we feel. And the last thing we want our kids to feel is numb.

By still giving yourself the self-respect you deserve, I will not invade my kid's privacy when due. But being young is so special because you are supposed to be given the space to grow and experiment with yourself and others. You don't want to grow up too fast. But you want them to live and learn through their own experiences, not yours. It is natural to feel like an overprotective parent, but I will never judge my kids or influence who they date because I know what it feels like to be ashamed for how quickly I can "fall in love." No one should be ashamed for feeling. And no one should ever apologize for loving. The world needs more of that.