What Kind Of Example Did Your Parents Provide You For Your Relationships?

Growing up, I had both working parents. They met in college and worked in the same field. They could relate on an educational and professional level. My mom battled breast cancer when I was a toddler. She seemed anxious and stressed out emotionally. My dad worked nearly all of the time. The balance between work and life seemed to be nonexistent.

I wanted a less chaotic environment to grow up in, but I didn’t make the money or the choices. I would go over to other people’s houses and they had it more put together and looking nicer. It didn’t ever really feel like a home in my house. It was like a purgatory. I felt embarrassed over the state of our home. We never really had anybody over anyways.

I wasn’t able to connect with others well because I was growing up in a wealthier area where I had gone to private schools. I did not feel comfortable or on the same level as these other students. There was not much that I could relate with. Making friends was not something that came easy. I didn’t like talking to other people. I mainly just focused on school and did not form many connections. I always felt uncomfortable with who I was and battled a lot of anxiety and depression.

It was not my job to be a parent, but I ended up trying to fit myself into that role. The house was…