*Thunderous applause for Merlocke*
I gave up a hell of a lot when I had my daughter. I was a young mother and made a choice for the BOTH of us by keeping her. My parents and I had horrific conflicts about their completely unreasonable rules and they truly were, unreasonable.
I got a job at 13 because a primary fight was about money.
I paid for my clothes, school supplies, school lunches, and any odd item that I might want/need from then on. Yes, my place to live and meals I took with the family were taken care of by them, but everything else was on my own. From THIRTEEN. All they managed to instill in me was resentment.
My daughter has quite a different life. Why? Because I don't ever want her to feel about me the way I did and occasionally still DO feel about my parents. On the odd occasion where I feel that I have the right to demand something of her, if it will not harm her or her chances for a good life in the future, I take a step back and have a good think about it first before putting my foot down. You see, I CHOSE for her to be here. she didn't ask to be born, or to be raised by me. I made that decision. and as far as I'm concerned, that puts me in a place of commitment TO her for as long as we are both living. I'm not saying that I expect her to be taken care of by me forever, but I have raised an independent creature that will be happy enough to set off on her own when the time is right, but will still be comfortable enough with me to return home if her life should require it.
Midnight
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