On parents.

I am, in general, very very similar to both my parents. Both write and read, and I'm the only one of dad's children to have inherited that. But I'm so, so grateful for it. I grew up in a household of intellect and creativity and learning, and that defines who I am. Dad's published a book. Mom does NaNoWriMo every year. We have bookshelves in nearly every room of the house and one room with walls of shelving--and we're running out of space.

So I've never really had any reason to resent or feel superior to my parents. They're reasonable in regards to rules, fair with punishments, and we agree in most ideological discussions. We have similar values and like similar things. I really do feel comfortable talking to them about most things. (Believe me, I know I'm lucky to have cool parents. I don't take it for granted.)

I hope that I'll parent like my parents someday. That I'll teach my kids to be readers. That I won't dismiss their requests out of hand, even if they're to go to events half way across the country. That I'll respect their decisions about their own lives and treat them like real people with real feelings instead of as someone to control because "they're kids and they don't know better." That I'll teach them to love learning, to enjoy going to museums as much as water parks and to read as often as they watch TV. But if any of the lessons don't stick, that I'll accept that they are their own people and let them do whatever it is even if I don't like it.

From dad, I hope I can learn that there's nothing wrong with working hard, being poor, or not being educated. The way I grew up (and am growing up), it's easy to get stuck in a bubble of pretension and forget that there are other things in life than being educated and intelligent. I may value that above all else, but I hope I can remember to see worth in other paths of life.

From mom, I'd like to get groundedness. She's much more able to handle reality than dad ever was, philosopher as he is. She manages our finances, does most odd jobs around the house, does most decorating, organizing, yard work, and essentially takes care of the details of everyday life that dad and I tend to have trouble dealing with.

And as far as things I don't want to get? The biggest things probably lie in the genetic inheritance of anxiety disorders. It's rather personal, so I won't say much about it here, but both of my parents have struggled with depression and anxiety through their lives, and I'd rather like to avoid that if it's at all possible, though I often think I probably won't be so lucky.