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First of all, my parents are "separated" but still married. They can't stand each other so they live in different places.
Until the age of 10, I was largely raised by my mom, grandma, aunt, uncles and other relatives. Growing up my father was hardly ever around because he was busy gathering money for the entire family.
From the ages of 0-10, I didn't know who my dad was. I had only known him from pictures. My dad first became a significant part of my life when I went to live with him in Pakistan at age 10, my mom and brother also came with us. Then when I was 16 to 19, I moved to London (first year on my own, then my mom came the next year) while my dad was in Chicago. Now my dad is still in Chicago, my mom is in Ponce and I am in Oman with my brother.
I learnt only a few things from my parents.
Most other things were taught to me by other people.
My father taught me 3 things:
1) Never do anything that you don't want to do.
2) Never get caught doing anything which is percieved as "wrong".
3) Don't give a **** about what anyone thinks.
From my mom I learnt many things, including:
1) Don't piss her off or else she will slap me.
2) Be respectful towards/don't hit women.
3) How to cook for myself.
4) The importance of believing in a higher power.
5) How to endure stress, hardship and unpleasant situations.
6) How to stand up for myself.
7) Everyone is responsible for themselves at the end of the day.
By watching my parents' actions, I learnt that the following should be avoided, but are difficult to abstain from:
1) Not to drink alcohol.
2) Not to cheat on your spouse.
3) Not to throw money away on stupid things.
4) Not to marry the "wrong person".
5) Not to chase money when you already have enough.
6) Plan carefully and don't be impulsive.
7) Don't let your marital issues affect your relationship with your kids.
The things above are what caused many problems for my family but they are hard to avoid, especially when you are temptation-prone.
What did you learn?
Until the age of 10, I was largely raised by my mom, grandma, aunt, uncles and other relatives. Growing up my father was hardly ever around because he was busy gathering money for the entire family.
From the ages of 0-10, I didn't know who my dad was. I had only known him from pictures. My dad first became a significant part of my life when I went to live with him in Pakistan at age 10, my mom and brother also came with us. Then when I was 16 to 19, I moved to London (first year on my own, then my mom came the next year) while my dad was in Chicago. Now my dad is still in Chicago, my mom is in Ponce and I am in Oman with my brother.
I learnt only a few things from my parents.
Most other things were taught to me by other people.
My father taught me 3 things:
1) Never do anything that you don't want to do.
2) Never get caught doing anything which is percieved as "wrong".
3) Don't give a **** about what anyone thinks.
From my mom I learnt many things, including:
1) Don't piss her off or else she will slap me.
2) Be respectful towards/don't hit women.
3) How to cook for myself.
4) The importance of believing in a higher power.
5) How to endure stress, hardship and unpleasant situations.
6) How to stand up for myself.
7) Everyone is responsible for themselves at the end of the day.
By watching my parents' actions, I learnt that the following should be avoided, but are difficult to abstain from:
1) Not to drink alcohol.
2) Not to cheat on your spouse.
3) Not to throw money away on stupid things.
4) Not to marry the "wrong person".
5) Not to chase money when you already have enough.
6) Plan carefully and don't be impulsive.
7) Don't let your marital issues affect your relationship with your kids.
The things above are what caused many problems for my family but they are hard to avoid, especially when you are temptation-prone.
What did you learn?
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