As a mother, I thought I had navigated the turbulent teenage years with my son, Michael. But little did I know, a new storm was brewing on the horizon. At 22 years old, Michael had become increasingly frustrated with his life, and I was about to become the target of his discontent.
It started innocently enough. Michael stormed into the kitchen, his face twisted with frustration, and demanded that I buy him a car. I was taken aback by his tone and his expectation that I would simply hand over the keys to a brand-new vehicle. When I explained that we couldn’t afford it, he became defensive and threatened to leave and live with his father, my ex-husband.
I was shocked and hurt by his words. David, my ex-husband, had always tried to buy Michael’s affection instead of being a responsible parent. I couldn’t believe that Michael would even suggest such a thing. As we argued, I realized that Michael’s demands were not just about a car, but about independence and freedom.
As the days went by, the tension between us only escalated. Michael became more distant, spending most of his time out with friends or locked up in his room. I tried to reason with him, explaining that buying a car was not just about handing over money, but about responsibility and hard work. But he wouldn’t listen.
One Saturday morning, I found a note on the kitchen counter. Michael had left to stay with his father, citing that he couldn’t stand being at home anymore. I felt a pang of guilt and worry, wondering if I had been too harsh or if I was failing as a parent.
As I reflected on our argument, I realized that Michael’s demands were not just about a car, but about entitlement. He had become so used to getting what he wanted that he had forgotten the value of hard work and responsibility. As his mother, it was my job to teach him these values, even if it meant saying no to his demands.
