Being a first-generation child in a country like America is one of the scariest things anyone can face. You are expected to succeed. After all, why would your parents risk everything to make the journey to this country if you didn’t become successful here? Although many children of immigrant parents, including myself, face daily difficulties with our peers, here are some of the daily struggles that characterize us as the infamous children of immigrant parents.
1. Lunchtime is a nightmare. 
Although we pride ourselves in the savory and unique aspects of our ethnic dishes, we sometimes prohibit ourselves from bringing such exotic foods into school cafeterias. Maybe it's the smell that you're used to but the kid sitting next to you with the PB&J is not. Or maybe it's the curiosity of the girl that sits diagonal to you that drives you absolutely nuts. She pesters throughout the hour, asking "How do you say it again?" or even "Why does it look like that?" I mean, does it really matter what it looks like? I like it and all food looks the same in our stomachs so leave me alone, please.
2. Your name is probably mispronounced or nonexistent.
I love my name, don't get me wrong. Although it has been slightly altered in my daily language, I still enjoy using it and telling people what it means. Except, during roll call on the first day of school. Every child of an ethnic background can attest to this but we absolutely despise that deadly pause right before Nathan and after Matthew, as the teacher squints her eyes and tries to articulate vowels in her mouth. Sometimes, it's obvious that it's you and you'll just try to skip the pause and blurt out your name for her to hear. She'll be relieved to not have to brutally murder your name and the cycle will continue in your next class. Having a different first name also means that I don't get one of those cute personalized key chains you see at every rest stop in this country, which is upsetting but also good because it means my parents have originality.
3. You listen to ethnic music in the car all the time.
Forget Nicki Minaj or Katy Perry. You haven't lived until you've listened to some of your home-grown, classic ethnic music. Chances are, you probably already have and your parents blast those tunes in the car. Sometimes, you see incredulous people glancing over at your car because the drum-beats of the Indian music you were listening to have leaked out of your car and into the streets and you don't feel the least bit ashamed.
4. Most of the movies you watch are foreign. 
Ask me anything about the latest Indian movie and I'll be able to tell you about it. But I wouldn't even have known there was a new 'Neighbors' movie if it weren't for Zac Efron. And sometimes, all you want is to discuss the latest drama over the actors or the characters but all your friends are too invested in Johnny Depp's drama to care. These foreign movies have also probably affected the way you live your life as well, which is more a good thing than bad.
5. Your mom has a home remedy from EVERYTHING. 
If I'm being honest, the scientists who are trying to cure cancer should just enlist the help of an elderly Indian woman, because they have the key to every problem known to man. Name any ailment or pain you have and your mom will probably conjure up some potion with something found in the backyard and your problems will mysteriously disappear.
6. You're always asked to say something in your native language. 
This is very annoying to deal with. Many foreign languages require more than just a word to speak off of. You can't expect me to just start spewing sentences in my native language; it's not that easy. Plus, it's really awkward when you're looking at me like a zoo animal when I stutter because I've miraculously forgotten all knowledge of my 2nd language.
7. Your parents always compare your childhood to theirs.
It's probably involuntary and parents never intend to be repetitive but to many kids, this struggle is well-known. The phrase "Back in my day" or "When I was your age" invokes a painful groan from many as no child really wants to hear about their parent walking six miles to and from school or waking up at 4 AM every day.
8. Your parents always compare you to your friends. 
Parents usually don't tend to be hurtful by doing this but sometimes, it is. Other times, you roll your eyes because the kid they think is a star student and does everything right really does drugs in the night and has a pet raccoon.
After all is said and done, however, I would never trade my immigrant parents for the world because although they may fall into some of the aforementioned traps, they really do mean well and have done everything in their power to make sure that I have a good life here in this country.
