If you are anything like me and the millions of other Americans out there today, there is a good chance that you grew up in a broken household. And, good or bad, this upbringing has left its mark on us. Here are some tell-tale signs you may have grown up with divorced parents.
1. Two homes + two bedrooms = double chaos
Now, while this may not seem all bad at first (two rooms? Holla!) it can get sort of confusing at times. And, if you live in one house more than the other, then you probably had the struggle of leaving one of your favorite pieces of clothing at the other house and had to do without it the whole week! But, hey! This made you very good at dividing and allocating your resources. So, put that on your resume!
2. Custody battles for days (and weeks and years and...)
Let's be honest: at the beginning of a divorce, things can get pretty nasty, especially when it comes to dividing up their most precious possession: you! So, after countless phone arguments, black market-style dealing, and more court dates than you care to recount, it is finally figured out and we all come to a deal with minimal casualties! Whew! Until...
3. Alternating weekends
Two loving parents means two loving people who want to see you. All. The. Time. And dealing with this? Not as easy as it looks. Now, the court may have arranged something like going to the non-primary caregiver's house every other weekend and Wednesdays, but figuring out that schedule and keeping it straight week after week is almost impossible. Add in other school commitments and the planning ability of a caffeinated squirrel on speed and some mishaps are bound to happen. But, hey, we are doing the best we can.
4. Double Christmases and birthdays
Now, this can either be amazing or a catastrophic mess. On the one hand, you get double the presents (woot). On the other hand, you have the near-impossible task of going to all the Christmas celebrations from both sides of the family. And, if one or both of your parents remarried, that just doubles the issue since their families are involved now too! *Facepalm*
5. Family titles can get pretty janky.
Once you start adding in a step-this and a step-that and a whoever-in-law, it can become downright impossible to keep it all straight. I mean, they are all family—you just can't think about it too hard or too long. And to the untrained eye? Pssh...fuggedaboutit.
6. Parent-teacher conferences are a hot mess.
If your parents get along wonderfully, then you have blissfully skated by this particular hurtle. However, if you were not as lucky, then you may have had to choose which parent to bring to an event. And, when both of them want to go but never together, it can feel a bit like a catch-22. But somehow you worked it all out, though not without its complications (see #3).
7. So. Much. Love.
Let's be honest: even though being one of the many children who were raised in a divorced home can be a little hectic and frustrating at times, it can also be awesome! In the end, if you are really lucky, you come out on the other side with 2+ parents who love you a lot. And seeing them happy makes it all 100% worth it! And besides, you know that every moment of your life has made you into the person you are now—and that person is pretty dang awesome!
