I’m Not Mad, I’m Just Disappointed

Your mother and I raised you better than this

By: Ian Knoll

Listen scout, I get it. Things have been tough lately, and you’re still trying to adjust. You’re going through a lot right now. I’ve been there too. And I want to feel bad for you bucko, I really do. You know I’m always on your side, but that doesn’t excuse this kind of behavior. You should know better. Honestly, I expected more from you, I really do. I thought I could trust you to make the right decisions, but if you're going to keep acting like a child, I'm going to keep treating you like one. Respect is earned, not given.

I guess I just wish you'd be more like your sister. When she was your age, she showed your mother and I nothing but respect. She's always been so considerate. And smart. And just plain gifted. Even though she’s so busy with school and work, she still calls us once a week—meanwhile, we can’t even get you out of your room for fifteen minutes to have dinner with us; would it kill you to eat with your family once and awhile?

But that’s beside the point. It's time for you to grow up a bit, learn some responsibility. I'm ashamed of your behavior, but it’s like you just don’t care. For Christ’s sake, can you even figure out right from wrong for yourself? And I just don’t know if your friends are good influences, putting ideas like this into your head all the time. It’s like if they told you to jump off a cliff, you’d do it. You know I love you kiddo; I just want what’s best for you. You may not understand it now, but you'll learn to thank me one day. And believe me, this hurts me more than it hurts you. I'm not mad, I'm just disappointed.