Another great example of someone from the Things I Fear Community submitting an idea for a new post! I especially appreciated this one because it made me think. Unlike something like Fear of Needles which is very near to my heart (which as I write this, I am thankful a needle is not actually anywhere near my heart) this Fear took a minute to fully appreciate its existence. It’s so relatable for so many reasons. Fear of Becoming Your Parents can strike at almost any time. Usually, when it does, a blog post is created. If you have your own post you want to submit, you can be featured for the entire world to behold your glory.
Fear of Becoming Your Parents: A Self-Reflection
At some point in life, almost everyone has that moment of clarity when they realize they have said or done something that perfectly resembles something their parents do. Something happens that epitomizes a quirk or habit you grew up aware of but not thinking you adapted the trait too. Perhaps you completely butchered a common expression to the point where no one could possibly know what you meant. Found yourself frantically pointing at something while calling it by the wrong name. Maybe the internet stopped working and you called someone to assist you with turning it off and on again. The realization you have done something your parents would have done is a shocking one. It is in moments like these you realize you have a Fear of Becoming Your Parents.
Parents are notorious for finding ways to embarrass you in seemingly innocuous moments. Remember those days when you would have a few friends over to watch the latest straight-to-DVD release together? While that might have seemed like a simple way to spend a Sunday afternoon, your mom had a separate agenda. Despite the “no girls allowed” sign, she found her way in but didn’t come alone. She brought healthy snacks and an even healthier collection of baby pictures too. Years later, you might find yourself doing the exact same thing to your own children. Or even amongst your own friend circle. While everyone is eating chicken wings and using their one clean finger to scroll through the latest Vines on their phones, you abruptly explain how staring at your phones for too long can cause astigmatisms and chicken wings are bad for your cholesterol. Thanks for stopping by, mom.
Going Through the Change: Fear of Becoming Your Parents
Parents tend to do a good job of raising children. There is a lot to be said about attempting to teach a child how to be self-reliant while at the same time having the same child rely on you for everything. Parents transform tiny humans who thought gnawing on the legs of furniture was fun into larger humans who understand how expensive furniture is. Especially when you factor in some places don’t even offer free shipping! Outside of the vast information the Internet teaches, a parent is responsible for just about everything a child learns in life. Parenthood is quite impressive. So you have to ask yourself: is the thought of becoming your parents really something to Fear? Yes. Have you seen the way they dress?
