I'm sure you understand that you're parents were once children, too. I'm assuming you have the basic knowledge that your parents had a life before you, but I bet not very many of you could tell me what kind of life they had. Maybe you've never asked. The reason you should is because it helps you understand a lot about being human and it allows you to see that you're not the only one here.
In college it's super easy to avoid your parents. It's freshman year, you're finally free. As long as you don't post a picture online you could probably get away with almost anything, things your parents wouldn't be proud of. Guess what? They did it, too. Maybe not every single parent got away with something illegal but I can guarantee that your parents have both done something in their lives that was probably a stupid idea. We're all human beings, we're all fallible. I know it's hard to picture Mom doing a keg stand but chances are she did more than that. Dad wrecked Grandma's car once.They got in trouble, too. They messed up. Life happened to them, too.
When you sit down and worry in bed about classes, or relationships, or dreams, or hopes, remember your parents did, too. They still do. They're people just like you or me. They have a responsibility, yes, but keep in mind that there's reasons for the way they are like there's reasons for the way you are. To those of you who live in s****y situations, I apologize, some people weren't meant to be parents but are anyway. To those of you who have OK relationships with your parents, I beg you to consider getting to know them as regular people, too. You don't have to ask them to dinner and make a whole deal out of it. Just try to listen more, ask more, be more curious. Talk to your parents. Really talk to them. And then listen to them. Let them show you how to be humble. Trust that they can teach you without having to lecture you. Know that their advice is coming from where advice comes from: personal experience.
I know it's a lot easier than it sounds, but it's worth it in the end. To learn about a person's past is liberating because you know that there's a future and it's especially exciting to learn of your parents' past because their future is you. It's awesome to see your father or mother turn into a kid again, or a teen. One day they won't be here, and you might not get to ask them. And you'll miss out on some really good stories. Get to know your parents as people. You will feel better about being a person, I promise.
