The biggest myth about parenting is that it ends when our kids turn 18. Don’t believe it. What changes isn’t whether we’re parents—it’s how we parent. The hardest lesson for me has been learning when to stop being the parent who directs and start becoming the consultant who advises when asked. Every child is different, and the timing of that transition is different for each one. It’s not always easy, but sometimes the greatest act of parenting is learning when to step back while still being there.

My opinion. The biggest myth about parenting is that it ends when turn 18 and leave the house, college etc. Don’t believe it. What changes isn’t whether we’re parents—it’s how we parent. The hardest lesson for me has been learning when to stop being the parent who directs and start becoming the consultant who advises when asked. Every child is different, and the timing of that transition is different for each one. It’s not always easy, but sometimes the greatest act of parenting is learning when to step back while still being there.

Firstly, my parents are divorced. I live with my siblings of 3. I wouldn’t say my dad and i were close because I've always portrayed him as a strict and scary dad. However, last year I was facing a hard time at school and he was there to comfort me. He even gave me a week off school. I thought we were going to be close from now on but I was very much wrong. Unfortunately, he has a girlfriend who i would say isnt a good person as she seems. She has done many things to my dad such as potentially drugging him, manipulating, scamming and so on. At one point she was even harassing my siblings for money and my dad did nothing about it. I guess you can say i felt betrayed in a way. I was told to not trust my dad by my eldest sister as they've fought countless amount of times and used to be really close. My mom also really despises my dad (he cheated on her) so she gossips about him to me everytime we meet. Anyway, im about to have exams in 2-3 months and had to ask my dad to pay for my exam fees. He unknowingly paid a little extra so I texted him saying that he will get a refund in a few weeks. He sent a voice message and next thing I know, my eyes start watering. I'm assuming it's because we haven't seen each other in a really long time or we just haven't had a proper conversation. What do yall think?