Did you ever try to meet your parents half way?
By Amber
@AmbiePam (119315)
United States
February 24, 2026 12:07pm CST
Was there a time when you were younger where you tried to bridge the gap between you and your parents? When I was 15, I wasn’t getting along with my dad; not unusual for a teenager, right? I thought, you know, instead of putting all the responsibility on him to get along with me, why don’t I take an interest in something he likes. My answer? I was going to learn (American) football. I even bought a book!
Well, it turned out that didn’t help, and he had no interest of meeting me halfway. On the plus side, I found out I liked football because I liked football, and it didn’t matter that he had he ignored my interest.
When did I get close to my dad? It started when I hit 25, and my 46 year old mother got dementia. There’s nothing like taking turns on cleaning a grown woman’s rear end to bond people together. That’s caregiving folks. It ain’t pretty. Some of you know that. 
Anyone have examples of trying to bridge a gap?
Anyone have examples of trying to bridge a gap?12 people like this
11 responses
@JordanLader (7269)
• Sparta, Tennessee
24 Feb
I don't really think we bridged gaps. I am a daddy's girl and we had so many things in common. I couldn't tell you if I started getting into the things like that because he did or because I just genuinely liked it.
Now mom and I don't have a lot in common. We're a lot alike but our interests are different. We bridged our gap with things like the soap we watch every morning, The Bold and the Beautiful. We talk....kind of. She can't get past the I'm not a child thing.
It's a hard thing to do. There also has to be understanding I think. An understanding of why they do certain things and I don't think some of that can come until you get older or you get a taste of actual responsibility
2 people like this
@AmbiePam (119315)
• United States
24 Feb
@JordanLader I am for anyone against Brooke. I cannot stand her.
2 people like this
@JordanLader (7269)
• Sparta, Tennessee
24 Feb
@AmbiePam I think that Sheila is going to flip out. Even if he doesn't actually get with Taylor, she is going to blame her anyway because she has Taylor up on this pedestal.
What do you think about Eric? You know Brooke and Katie have no relationship now. Like none.
2 people like this
@toniganzon (76928)
• Philippines
24 Feb
Never experienced that at all since I lost my parents three days after I turned 13. I had really good relationship to both of them especially my dad.
When I was a kid I would tag along with my dad wherever he went. I was like a son to him even though I have two brothers.
It must have been so difficult for you to adjust to your parents just to meet hem half way.
I played whatever my son played on his iPad before so we could have something to talk about. And at the same time I could monitor what he was doing. It was I who adjusted so we could get along well. And I want to enjoy his company. It's still the same now that he's an adult.
I even watched F1 so I would have something to talk to him about.
2 people like this
@toniganzon (76928)
• Philippines
24 Feb
@AmbiePam I had always wanted to be a mother and I made a promise that if I couldn't be a good mother, I'd rather not have a child at all.
2 people like this
@DaddyEvil (173776)
• United States
24 Feb
No, I didn't. My dad passed away when I was 13 and mom and I were always friends.
2 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (134483)
• Marion, Ohio
24 Feb
I was older before I started getting along with my dad. Almost always got along with my mother
2 people like this
@LindaOHio (221052)
• United States
24 Feb
It never worked with my parents. I moved out when I was 21.
2 people like this
@thislittlepennyearns (68065)
• Defuniak Springs, Florida
24 Feb
I had something witty to respond to this with, and then couldn't remmeber it by the time the comment box was ready.
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (500696)
• Italy
25 Feb
I have always been very close to my father. I never needed to meet him half way. We both liked to read and the same kind of books and we had so much in common. It was a bit more hard with Mom, she was very strict and discussing with her was not an option, she was always right. That never changed, she was the same until her last day.
1 person likes this
@Shivram59 (49644)
• India
25 Feb
My parents live with me. So there is no chance meeting then half way. Wherever they go, they want me to accompany them.
