You get a real window into someone’s soul when you meet their parents. It is surprising and wonderful…at times, it is poignant and provides context.
- Life doesn’t stop when you have kids. You can still travel, party, play music, act, sing, and direct. You just don’t have a lot of time for pointless socializing.
- Inviting your kid’s friends for a dinner party is invigorating, especially when the wine flows freely. You might end up blasting “Sloop John B” at 2 in the morning, drunk on Cab Sauvignon. You might end up dancing with a mom.
- Other moms and dads have totally different relationship dynamics than my mom and dad. Some are far more affectionate. Some argue, others get drunk together. Some are just friends who live together by this point in their lives; others are very much in love.
- There’s nothing like a home-cooked meal cooked in someone else’s home.
- You get a real window into someone’s soul when you meet their parents. It is surprising and wonderful…at times, it is poignant and provides context. A short dad whose son is gigantic. A single mom with a sharp tongue and a wry sense of humour who had to do it all on her own. A pair of nice, sweet retirees who raised a foul-mouthed child. Oh…so that’s why you are so sassy/sweet on the inside but tough on the outside/honest/dishonest/trusting/skeptical. I get it now…
- When somebody tells you that their parents drive them crazy, and you meet their parents and they are super-nice…you have to step back and realize that most parents are nice when you first meet them. Not all, but most. But there is always a backstory, and sometimes that backstory can be surprisingly dark.
- If you have a close friend, try staying with their parents for a weekend, or even a night. Even if their son/daughter isn’t around. They’ll love it, and you might have more fun than you ever imagined!
- You know that thing where the dad sits and watches golf on television while the mom and daughters cook up chicken in the kitchen and the sons hang out playing videogames? That thing really happens all the time.
- There are a few people who claim that they aren’t frustrated by their parents. I don’t believe them.
- From the outside, there are times I can’t help but be jealous of the relationships many of my close friends have with their parents. It often looks idyllic to me. But then again, I’m not there for the arguments, the growing pains, or the poor choices. I just see them at their best.
Then I think about the times my friends have met my parents and I’m half shuddering/half proud.
Love this. I really enjoy meeting my friends’ parents, and yes, you do learn a lot that way.
Thanks!!!