How old were you...?

[SeriouslyRetro]

When you saw your parents as real, whole people? With their own emotions and dreams or fears. Their own likes/dislikes. Their own baggage. Their own talents.

7 or 8 years old.

Way too young. Dad left, didn’t see us for months, and my mum confided way too much in me, and I had to look after my younger sister. I saw that my mum still loved my Dad. I saw that my Dad paraded us in front of his new young secretary like we were prize cute animals, I saw all their vulnerabilities.

This is from the other side. I think DD1(18) has me figured out. She tells me off and tells me to cop on to myself. She points out when I am not being fair. And she is usually spot and and I am suitably chastised.

Not sure at what point i recognised them as people, I know early on i understood they were messed up and far from perfect.

18

Properly when I had my own children at 24. They were very strict butter epildn’t Melt types, very difficult to see past the facade. It was only when I made very different choices for my parenting my understanding changed.

25 when I realised being married gave me a chance to be a family just me and hubby
Lots of regression when I am with them though