A letter from a child of separated parents
There are many things we have to choose in life. What to wear, what to eat, who I want as my friend, what book I want to read, the list goes on and on. But, there is one thing a person should never have to choose. Which parent they love more. My parents have been separated for most of my life. I honestly do not remember a time when they were together. From an early age I began to learn the most important lesson a child with separated parents will ever know, never let it seem like you love one more than the other. And of course I don't. I was blessed with two amazing parents, how could I possibly choose between the two people I love most in this world? As you age from child to pre teen the complexity of balancing both parents becomes increasingly more difficult. The challenges change from, I shouldn't talk about mommy so much it makes daddy sad, to, okay it's dad's weekend but mom doesn't want me to go. It's hard. You hate to cause pain to either one of them. You hate to see the disappointment in their eyes. But, you love them both so much and you just wish that they would see what they're doing to you. Then come the teenage years. This is the part of the stage that I'm in. The big fights: who will buy the car? Who will see them more? Who will get the best memories from these high school years? The entire time they are oblivious to their children. The ones that love them, the ones that they love so much they can't agree who will see them more. They're crumbling inside. You grow up having them compete, who will have the best vacations, who will have the funniest house. But it gets worse. The fights start. The secrets of what caused the split come out. They start bad mouthing each other behind they're backs. The look of disgust on their faces when they are near each other. How do they not see that what they're doing is hurting us? How do they not see that their youngest had to mature faster than their oldest in order to stay afloat in the sea of hatred that they have for each other? I DON'T REMEMBER WHAT IT WAS LIKE TO BE A CHILD. They ask why I can't remember most of my childhood. I don't know why exactly. But, I'd have to say it's mostly because I blocked it out. They fights, the lying, the cheating, and the almost leaving. Please, don't make me choose. I can't choose. Sincerely, A child who is tired of having to choose
