Living Breathing Contradiction...

Your parents have just slept through the single most important opportunity they will ever have. What a moment! I hope YOU are bursting with pride, Stephanie; what you have accomplished is amazing!

I can hardly wait to hear about the dance, and maybe even see a video. Keep us posted.

Thanks Quim, our insturctor is actualy looking at getting somewhere in dallas to preform it for a night I really hope she can. And I am proud its just I wish they cared about something that I cared about. And I'll try for that video. is either late may or early june

You are not a terrible daughter. Your parents are out of order. They can't see what they are doing. How wrong they are. They don't see they won't have another Stephanie to watch grow up. How bad It's THEIR mistake.

I'm sorry Steph. That could have been a magical moment. I think it's important for you to know that YOU got a part and found a bloodline and should take the pleasure of the accomplishment and savor the joy of accomplishment. It has and IS taking me years to realize that all the wishing in the world won;t change a person if THEY don;t the necessity for it. My parents loved me BUT were incredibly insensitive to any feelings, dreams, opinions and what have you. They truly believed we kids were to be seen and not heard. When kicked out of the nest they presumed I'ld survive--I got very very little help or encouragement after that. So there it is. Do I moan and groan forver (yes often) about it or accpet it as a character building opportunity and just recognize it as an unaccounted blessing. Theror loss (and mine) but I can choose to not let it cripple me further. Often in my thoughts. Heal and be at peace. Your parents nned oyur prayers and for YOUR sake attempt to love them anyway. I would hate to see you become bitter.

Well, if you guys make it to Dallas, and you feel like letting me know, I'll come watch you dance.

As a parent, my heart aches for you. I always try to be present emotionally for my kids (my youngest son is a little older than you), and if I didn't quite manage it, it was painful to see that I had disppointed them.

As Rich said, be at peace, as much as you can.

It's kind of amazing you're as well-adjusted as you are, as your parents seem to be struggling a bit themselves.

Sometimes I ache with pride, just to see my kids. They don't have to actually acheive anything.

I'm sure they are proud of you, but showing it is hard for some people.

I don't think I can add to all that's been wonderfully said already. Just that it's not your flaw Steph, it's your parents. And by the way, congratulations! Those are major accomplishments. I'm proud of you.

Seriously Steph -- good job. You have every right to proud of yourself for your accomplishment.

As a parent, I make sure my girls know that I'm proud of them all the time. In fact -- no kiddin' -- I tell each girl this every night before they go to bed:

"love you; I'm very proud of you".

Of course, they're too young to even know what that means (well, maybe the 5-year old does). But, I think that "pride" is a close second to love when it comes to what parents should be telling their kids.

As for your parents, I don't know what say: I hope that they are proud of you and that they're just lousy communicators. Either way, take pride in yourself, knock the emotional dust off your pants, mount up, and ride on. (how's that for a little Texas lingo?)

lol thanks comedian. and thank you all for the kind words. to those parents your kids are really lucky to have you.

Originally Posted by qimissung

It's kind of amazing you're as well-adjusted as you are, as your parents seem to be struggling a bit themselves.

That's exactly what I was just thinking.

thanks

Originally Posted by stephofthenight

(...) thank you all for the kind words. to those parents your kids are really lucky to have you.

When they come, your kids will be lucky to have you too. You'll be a better mother.

since I don't know your parents I am not going to say anything negative abt them. All I can say is you should be very proud of yourself.

Originally Posted by pussnboots

since I don't know your parents I am not going to say anything negative abt them. All I can say is you should be very proud of yourself.

Thats what i was going to say.

thank you max. I really hope that you are right. but it seems a pattern that we turn out like our parents.

There's no such thing as a pattern, and even if there was, you can break the pattern if you want, and make one of your own. You can be the type of parent you want to be, independently of the type of parents you had. Trust yourself