Growing up an only child, raised by a strict parent I was convinced that I was the only kid that was ever disciplined. I resented my mom when she told me I couldn’t wear a certain shirt, go to a certain party or act a certain way. I never understood why my friends were allowed to go to every event/concert/party they wanted to, while I was at home redoing an essay or practicing the piano. I was sure that my mom was “out to get me” and “ruining my life” because she could “never understand what it was like to be a teenager”. I was so blindsided by what I wanted to do to fit in with my peers that I could not see why my mom's answer was almost always no.

1. They have a plan for your life

From the moment a child is conceived, parents begin to plan the sports the child will be involved in, the school that he/she will attend, the instrument that the baby will learn to play, the career that one day the son/daughter will discover and the significant other that they will fall in love with. This is what true maternal and paternal love is. The dream of success and greatness that parents wish upon their child and the time and money spent trying to deliver this idealistic lifestyle is done with nothing but love. Although this concept that our parents plan out our lives before our brains even develop may seem frustrating, we are blessed that our parents dream and believe in us to be successful and amazing creations of God.

2. They don’t want to see you get hurt

Let’s face it, growing up sucks and nobody knows how it feels quite like our parents do. Being bullied on the playground, being picked on in high school for not wearing a certain name brand and wasting time dating people that don’t care about your wellbeing, are all things that we face in our lifetime. And as annoying as it may be, our parents can see right through all the bullshit friends that we will come across in our lifetime. Love is all about protecting those you care about, so when your strict parents doesn’t approve of the guy you want to date or the friends you made at school, there’s probably a reason. Although it’s hard to open up to our parents because “they don’t understand”, they probably do understand and they will do whatever it takes to protect you and ensure you don’t get hurt.

3. They made similar mistakes at your age

Even though our parents seem to have the answers for everything now, it’s just because they gained wisdom from experiences and living through the same situations that we are going through while growing up. And most likely, our strict parents wish they could go back and use their knowledge to redo some of these mistakes they made in the past. Since they can’t change history, they bequeath their children with their wisdom. Even though we as kids think we know more than our parents and probably won’t listen to this advice, one day we will learn- that our parents weren’t trying to shelter us, but only trying to help us avoid the heartbreak, the disappointment and the failures that our elders have already faced in the past. If only we weren’t so stubborn and just could've listened.

4. They don’t mean to yell

Sometimes strict parents yell and it’s okay. No, it’s not always the best way to deliver a message but when your mom/dad started yelling you always listened didn’t you? It’s hard to un-hear harsh things your parents say or get rid of the headache you get from their screeching voice telling you to do or not to do something. Sometimes with the stress of everything a parent has to balance- work, cleaning, driving us to our appointments/events, cooking and shopping- the only way they can parent us is to yell. It may suck at the time, but your parents just want you to understand their viewpoint.

5. Strict parents can have fun too!

Once you start growing up and learn how to be an adult, your strict parents become your best friends. I can assure you, when I was little I never thought I’d ever do tequila shots with my mom but sure enough that happened. I think strict parents make the best kind of friends because they spend so many years teaching you how to be successful and dependable adults that once you finally make it, they get to let loose and watch you flourish! So just wait, because your strict parents probably know how to party better than you do.

The love a strict parent has for their child is unconditional. Although these parents can be demanding and have high expectations it’s only because they know what you are capable of. Challenge yourself, work hard, ask your parents for advice and don’t take shit from anybody that isn’t worth your time because you didn’t sit through all those lectures and screaming matches for nothing right?

So, thank you to the strict mothers and fathers in the world, because you made your sons and daughters successful and responsible adults today. And MAYBE (just maybe) you weren’t that strict after all.