Why It’s Okay If You Don’t Like Spending Time With Your Asian Parents

You dread seeing them and when you’re around them, you feel like a warm body. Is it normal to not like your parents?

Photo by Nicholas Kusuma on Unsplash

Friday dinner at their house, Sunday morning Dim Sum, having your parents over at your place…

How does it feel thinking about those things?

Frustrated? Burdened? Dread? Like work?

How does it feel before you get there?

Annoyed? Anxious? Irritated? Nervous?

How does it feel when you’re there? How do you react to one another?

Greet them by calling them by their titles? Nod and smile?

The food comes. You start eating. How do you feel?

Formal? Uncomfortable? Awkward? Like you have to be on your best behaviour? Put up a front?

What does the conversation look like?

Silence? Cordial small talk? Talking about the food?

Are there moments where you’re biting your tongue, preventing yourself from saying something you’ll regret?