Oh the tangled webs we weave...

I had a conversation with my brother today.  I don't know how we got to the topic, but we did, we talked about our parents and our relationships with our parents.  We talked about and psychoanalyzed our parents.  Seeking answers, making hypotheses and theories.  But, that's really all it was.  A bunch of theories on why we have the relationships with our parents that we do.

This got me to thinking.  What will my relationship look like with my kids as they grow older?  What do I want our relationships to be?  What will happen in their lives and mine that will impact our relationship?  How will they be with Tony?  What will that relationship be like and how will I factor into that?

I know that I've stated before that my parents were married and divorced long before 30.  I was raised by a single mom, and I am the oldest.  My mom remarried when I was 10, and more siblings came along.  The reason I bring this up is, there was so much change in my young life, that I grew up craving stability.

My kids may grow up to crave change and may not like my boring life.  That's ok.  But, back to the real question at hand.  What do I want our relationship to be like when they are grown?

I want them to be happy.  I want them to seek out the activities, careers, and people that can and will make them happy.  Most of all, I want to be happy for them.  I worry that I won't like the people that they choose as their significant others.  I worry that I will be too domineering and tell them what they should and shouldn't do as they get old enough to make these decisions themselves.  I hope that I have the foresight to be able to step back and let them live their lives.  I want to be a confidant.  I want to talk to my kids regularly.  I want them happy to visit me, or happy to have me visit them.  I want to share with them while they have families and grow their families.

What is your relationship like with your parents?  What do you want your relationship to be like with your kids when they grow up?

Also, in the spirit of family, here are some pictures of mine.

I may or may not join up with my beginning blogging inspiration, Emily, for her Embrace the Camera.  We'll see tomorrow.

Olivia and Daddy

Mommy and Mia