The majority of us dread the day we become our parents. Who hasn't uttered the words "I'll never be like my parents"? However, recent research suggests that once you have children youwill become your parents, whether you like it or not!
Dutch researcher Freek Bucx looked at data from over a thousand young adults, their parents and partners. The results suggested that you can become like your parents, once you have your own children. It also suggested that if your partner struggles to get on with your parents or their own, it can lead to a negative impact on your own relationship with your parents.
The study investigated children and their parents in the 'middle phase' of the parent/child relationship, when the children are around 18 to 35 years old and their parents are between 50 and 75 years old.
It also suggested that in order to avoid future arguments with your own parents, you need to make sure your partner's relationship with their own parents and yours is healthy. How does the study suggest you do this? By having your own children!
Children often lose the closeness they have with their parents when they move away and get married, however, having children brings them back together again. Suddenly, your parents become a wealth of information and help. Having a child also means you see things from your parent's point of view more, which can lead to you being more understanding of their decisions in the past.
How did you find your relationship with your parents changed when you became a parent? Do you think you've become more like your parents?
Source: Alpha Galileo