This Crazy Life

So, one of my daughters brought her boyfriend with us to New York.  This was a new experience for us and something I was never allowed to do as a kid.  I’ll be honest.  I was really worried about being judged.  I don’t want to look like that parent.  Who that parent is I don’t know.  And why do I care so much about what those people think.  But I do.  Or I did.  But we did it and I don’t care anymore.  I think it was a good experience for everyone.  They got to explore and experience things together.  Having an extra person actually made it less awkward for everyone with my other daughter, I think.  He got along great with my sick child and my other daughter.  I have pictures of him playing camera man to the 3 girls while they are posing together.  I honestly don’t think it could have worked out any better.  Leading up to the trip and since the trip I have seen several families that have taken boy/girl friends on vacation with them.  But the moral of the story is.  Don’t worry about what other people think.  They aren’t you.  They aren’t raising your kids.  They aren’t paying your bills.  They aren’t living your life.  No one has all the information for the decisions you make, except for you.  And if people judge you, f them.  Let them judge.  And it makes you feel much freer.  I’m sure I’ll worry about other people on my next “big” decision.  Possibly letting my child quit school and get her GED.  But I’m going to try to remember that it doesn’t matter.  Like my therapist says.  You are using your firsthand knowledge to make the decisions that you think are best for you and your family.  And that’s all you can do.