Things your parents never told you

I’ve seen a number of different social media posts and videos over the years on the things that your mom or dad never told you when you were growing up.

They include things like:

• Your mom always put you first.
• It broke your mom’s heart every time you cried.
• Your dad panicked when he found out you were coming home.
• Your dad used to have much nicer car (or a motorcycle or a cool sound system or home bar area) before you arrived on the scene.
• They gave up many of their friends to stay home and be with you.  

The wording varies from post to post — some are from the mom’s point of view, a few others from the dads — but there are many similarities. They all generally point out the sacrifices and ways our parents love us. Of course, when I come across these posts, they always get my creative juices flowing. Here’s a few additions I would make, with my own unique humor and sarcasm and “Brian” point of view:

• Your dad rarely carried cash, preferring to use debit or credit cards, but would make an intentional stop at the ATM just so that he had cash to share with you before you went out for the night. He never minded handing over his last $20, but he wanted you to appreciate it.
• One minute your mom might ground you, but the next, when your back was turned, she bragged about you to her work friends.
• It’s an Aaron Sorkin line from the Television Show, The West Wing, but very appropriate: “The only thing that you ever had to do to make me happy was come home at the end of the day.”
• Your parents were excited with your successes and felt the pains of every challenge. They still don’t know what your math teacher in the eleventh grade wanted and why she didn’t give you an A on your mid-term exam. (They desperately wanted to give her a piece of their mind, but knew it was better to let you fight your own battles.)
• Your parents were always tired. They would nudge each other to stay awake at awards banquets and musical performances. They were tired from getting up before 5 a.m. for work, but wanted to be there for you.

• They were petrified teaching you to ride a bicycle without training wheels or to drive a car. When they went to bed, they would talk to each other about their fears. No matter how they appeared on the outside, both of them were having a heart attack.
• Your parents didn’t always have the money for certain school trips or that special Christmas toy, but they made it a priority and found a way to get it.
• Your mom would ask you about your homework or test scores not to put pressure on you, but because she loved you and wanted the best for you.
• Your dad told you to be safe every time you went out for the night. It was his way of telling you that he loved you and, whether or not you recognized it, he waited up for you every single time until he peeked outside and saw the lights of the car pull into the driveway.
• Ever wonder why the car always seemed filled up with gas? Your mom would get gas on her way home from work, because she knew that you wanted the car later that night.
• Your dad raced home from his hour-long commute from work for Back to School Nights, sporting events and club activities and would joke about the forced small talk and mixing and mingling with other parents, but never really minded because it was for you.
• Your parents took an interest in video games; young adult books like Harry Potter, Hunger Games, and Percy Jackson; field hockey; cross country; the marching band; and ROTC not because they had an interest, but because you were interested in them.
• Your parents would do it all over again without hesitation.

Oh, the things your parents never told you!