Of course you love your parents — that’s a given. But at times, maintaining the bond between parent and adult child can be as challenging as that between parent and teenager.
These days, both of you are confronting new challenges — retirement or career changes, health issues, concerns about the future.
It’s to be expected these issues will affect your relationship, but as you change, so, too, must your relationship with your parents change.
Part of that evolution requires forging a new relationship, one between mature adults rather than “parent” and “child.” You already have the basic underpinnings — love and shared memories.
Add mutual respect and common interests and you may find a more fulfilling relationship with your mother and your father than any you’ve had since childhood.
Independence
How dependent are you on your parents? It’s likely that the amount of independence you exercise from your parents will translate into your relationships. Do your parents still pay your way? You’re probably looking for a man who can do the same.
Do they make your major decisions? You may be looking for a man who can take the lead in the same way.
In the same manner, if you’re completely independent from your family and go out of your way to avoid asking for help, you’ll probably seek the same independence in a relationship.
Oldest sibling
Oldest siblings are raised to take the lead, and this usually doesn’t stop when they leave the nest. If you’re an only child, you’re probably used to being group leaders and event planners at work, and night out organizers with your friends. You’re probably looking for a relationship where you can call the shots in the same way.
Oldest siblings may also be hard to please. If you are an oldest sibling, you probably got first dibs more often than not, and didn’t have to deal with hand-me-downs unless you had an older cousin close by.
Only child
Are you an only child? Did your parents’ lives revolve completely around you while you were growing up? If so, you may be looking for a relationship where you can be the shining star, as well. Those looking to woo you should do everything they can to make you feel important. You likely don’t tolerate being ignored, and may see it as reason enough to walk.
See other popular relationships you may have with your family. Source: What your relationship with your family says about you
