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The funny thing about the parent-child dynamic is that, in so many ways, it gets flipped on its head eventually. When parents are elderly, it is us, their children, who take care of them, making sure they are safe, making sure people don’t take advantage of them, making sure they eat right, and all of the same things they did for us when we were little. But that dynamic can get flipped upside down a little earlier in life if your parents get divorced. I know that I, personally, felt very worried and protective of my mother while she was going through a divorce, for years after, and still today. I realize, of course, that both of my parents went through that divorce, but for some reason I think we all feel a little more protective of our mothers after that event. Here are the ways I worried about mine.
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The dating world
I hated the thought of my mom going out into the dating world, and having to tell strange men her story. I particularly hated that she needed to, in any way, prove to someone that she was interesting, fun, or beautiful. She had been through hell. I didn’t want her proving herself to anyone.
