Midterm week is upon us. Students are going crazy and are no doubt calling their parents to complain about yet another exam. Nights turn into hiding in the library and complaining every second about failing out of school and working at McDonald’s.
A parent can’t help but think about when times were simpler. When all their kids cared about was when their friends were coming over for a play date, or when they were allowed to have ice cream. Now the stress of the dreaded midterm week is here, and sometimes all a daughter needs is her Dad when she feels like this dreadful week will never end.
A girl can always count on that one support system, that one constant reassurance that everything will be okay.
When you think about your daughter, the first thing that probably comes to mind isn’t how she is now. Instead, you think of how she was growing up and how she was (and maybe still is) the biggest pain in the butt you’ve ever met. You can’t ever wrap your head around her outfit choices on most days, not to mention her dating choices.
You were the first person to see her have the biggest temper tantrum of her life. You were there when she felt like nobody else was there for her and all of her friends hated her. You were there for the heartbreaks, but also for the best moments of her life.
Your daughter, not so little anymore, is slowly growing up and has now left the temper tantrum days. She has entered the mental breakdown ones, because she “literally can’t” and has about five exams next week, but still wants to go to the major party everyone has been discussing.
As she starts the next step in her life, she’s adjusting just as much as you are. Those movie nights sitting on the living room couch together, laughing about stupid things and inside jokes, have turned into a ten minute phone call about how crazy her schedule is and how stressed she’s becoming.
This can be one of the hardest times in the life of a self-proclaimed “Daddy’s girl.” You slowly realize that she needs you in different ways. Instead of wiping her boogers, you are the first person she goes to ask about networking in the business world or how to create a better resume.
Remember that no matter how many times your children call, or don’t call, they always need you. The biggest comfort comes from knowing that you are a phone call away when their next mental breakdown is forming.
Midterms can be an extremely stressful time for not only the students, but parents too. You can be the biggest supporter out there if she lets you.
Midterms are stressful no matter the class level. Dad, you are one constant in my life that has always been there for me, no matter what. During midterm week I may forget to thank you for all of the support you and the rest of the family has given me.
So thank you, Dad, for everything.
Remember to cherish that advice you get from that one constant supporter in your life during this stressful week, because he is pulling for you just as much as you are.