"Growing up, it's easy to see our parents as these all-knowing, put-together superheroes who always have all the answers. But at some point, usually when we least expect it, we hear or see something that makes us realize that outside of being "Mom" and "Dad," they're just regular people trying their best. One simple comment, one small slip, and at last you're aware that your parents are human, just like you."
"Maybe it was when you saw your mom completely break down after losing a sibling, and for the first time, you understood she wasn't just your mother - she was someone's sister, someone's daughter, and a person dealing with her own grief. Or maybe it happened when you watched your dad stress over bills at the kitchen table, and suddenly you realized he wasn't magically able to make everything work - he was just doing the best he could."
Children frequently view parents as infallible, put-together figures during childhood. A single comment, slip, or observed vulnerability can abruptly reveal parental fallibility and human complexity. Witnessing a parent's breakdown after a loss can show that a parent also occupies roles as sibling, child, and grieving individual. Observing a parent struggle with bills or other stresses can expose limits and efforts rather than omnipotence. Those moments prompt reflection on when one first recognized parental humanity and invite sharing of personal recollections that capture emotional, financial, and everyday instances of parental vulnerability.
Read at BuzzFeed
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