Why I Owe My Parents a Huge Apology

Parenting is tough.  And the sad part is I'm only dealing with a 6-year-old and a 10-year-old.  I can't imagine when I'm living with teenagers.  So here's our situation...

My son is displaying signs of back-talking.  "Displaying signs" probably aren't the right words, he's flat out doing it.  A lot.  And I'm sad to say, I know exactly from where he gets it.  I was very well known in the family unit for my stubborn will and constant need to get in the last word, no matter the shade of red of my dad's face.  I was continuously in trouble. (I also had an evil step-mother who didn't help the situation, but that's a story for another day.)  Sidenote:  Leslie Carter and myself were known around school as the girls who were ALWAYS grounded (which shocked me because Leslie was such a good girl!)

On one hand, I feel terrible for what I must have put my parents through.  It's extremely frustrating to have a kid who will not-shut-up after your buttons are beyond pushed.  On the other hand, this same character flaw has made me who I am today, a no-nonsense, bold, self-confident woman.  So, it's not all bad, right? That's what I'm telling myself as I open the spoon drawer after an Austin encounter.  I know he must face the consequences of the back-talk, but at the same time I'm proud.  He's learning to respect adults, as he should, but he is also learning to stand up for himself.  I won't worry so much about him; he's got guts.  It doesn't make it any easier on me now, though.  (And let's hope he never reads this.)

This may not make sense to a lot of people, but it does to me.  It's hard, and I will continue to parent as I should, but I also love the young man Austin's becoming, and I wouldn't change one thing about him.  He's perfect in only the way Austin can be.

So, I really must apologize to my mom and dad for all the hell I put them through, from the time I was born (colic for nine months) to well into my 20's.  I was a stubborn, unruly child and young adult, and I'm not so sure anything has really changed. (You'll have to ask Michael Ridge about that.)

But the question still remains:  if Austin earned this character flaw from me, from whom did I get it?  There's only two possibilities...