Congrats, parents! You raised fully functioning adults. But if you’re still expecting them to follow your rulebook, you might be setting yourself up for disappointment. Let’s be real—times change, people grow, and clinging to outdated expectations only pushes them away.
1. To live the same way as you
Just because you love a suburban lawn and 7 a.m. church doesn’t mean they do. They’re not your clones—let them live their lives.
2. To share your opinions
Times have changed. They aren’t interested in hearing how things were “better back in the day.” Respect their views, or get ready to be ignored.
3. To uphold family traditions without change
That annual Thanksgiving dinner at your house? Yeah, that might not be a thing forever. New traditions aren’t a betrayal—just life moving forward.
4. To always spend time with you
They have jobs, partners, and social lives. You don’t need to see them every holiday. Missing a dinner doesn’t mean they’ve forgotten you exist.
5. To express gratitude a certain way
You raised them out of love, not for payback. Stop expecting a standing ovation for doing what parents are supposed to do.
6. To take care of you as you age
Your kid isn’t your retirement plan. Get a financial advisor instead of assuming they’ll put their life on hold to be your personal nurse.
Final Thought
Want a close relationship? Ditch the guilt trips, drop the expectations, and enjoy them as adults—not extensions of yourself.