How to Stop Being Afraid of Becoming Your Mother

How to Stop Being Afraid of Becoming Your Mother

Those dreaded words. Those awful, dreaded words that every young woman cringes when they are first uttered to her by anyone who knows her, really well: “You’re turning into your mother.” GAH! Shoot me now! I swore to never EVER be like her. My mom, with all her annoying habits like forcing food down people’s throats, wearing sweatpants around the house, being frazzled at all hours of the day, drinking wine and getting super emotionally overbearing afterwards, memory loss, and the failure to properly pronounce every single word in the English language, but especially people’s names, street names and cities.

I list those qualities as personality traits that ostensibly describe my mother, but in reality, all of those things are basically me. I do all those things. All of them! And I do them like it’s just so natural – it’s friggen genetic!! I am turning into my mother. Every single day, I see it. I see it in the mirror; I see it in my speech; I see it in my driving (lord help me). Even my sister sees it. She texts me and says, “I don’t know who’s worse. You or mom.”

Let’s leave that question rhetorical.

There are moments, though, when I kinda feel a little bit proud though, to be turning into my mom. Is that weird? Oh god, you’re reading this right now, aren’t you, mom. Well, it’s true. My mom is my whole life. As much as she drives me absolutely crazy – she is so much fun to be around. Her sense of humour is like no other, and she can take a joke, which I love, because I am consistently pranking her at any chance I get. She’s the best person to prank, hands down. If we ever meet IRL, ask me about that time we prank called her with prankdial.com….

And she is the most selfless person I know. She would do anything for me. I can only dream of being that amazing one day.

The moral of the story is this. As much as I hate to admit it, I cannot deny it. I will be just like my mom. I’m so lucky, too, because some people don’t grow up having a close bond to their mothers or they lose their moms way too early in life. That makes me sad for ever taking my mom for granted. I’ve had her in my life, attached to the hip, since the day I was born. How could I not turn into her? It would be pretty hard when all I’ve done is mirror her behaviour for the past thirty years. It’s bound to happen sooner or later, and you know what? I can’t wait to inherit every single one of her attributes.

Well, everything but her hobbit feet.

 

 

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So, do you guys find yourselves turning into your parents or relatives or anyone who has had a huge impact on you? Would love to know some of the funny characteristics that you’ve found yourself inheriting! Leave a comment below and let’s chat!

Illustration by Karen Koh of www.theillustrienne.com

9 Comments

  1. Mom
    September 19, 2016 / 1:08 pm

    Ahhhhhhhh! Love you!!!!!! I was thinking of you in grade 1 this morning, leaving you in the classroom sitting at your desk and putting your hand up to get the teacher’s attention!!!!!!!

    • Justine Iaboni
      September 20, 2016 / 2:19 pm

      Thanks mom. lol

  2. Seanna
    September 19, 2016 / 1:11 pm

    I am adopted and didn’t find my bio Mom/ sisters until my late 20’s. Weirdest thing. My sisters and I all have the same sense of humour . Facial expressions and stance! The last time my son spent two weeks with my mom in BC he came home and said. OMG you are just like Grandma! Weird for me cause I didn’t have anyone physically like me in my family growing up
    So much for nature vs nurture.

    • Justine Iaboni
      September 20, 2016 / 2:20 pm

      Wow! I never knew you were adopted. That’s so fascinating. And so crazy that even though you didn’t grow up with you biological family, you have so much in common with them physically. TOO FUNNY! Yeah, so much for nature vs. nuture indeed!

      How’s the backyard?

      xo J

    • Seanna
      September 20, 2016 / 9:33 pm

      Ya so crazy. Backyard is ?????

  3. September 19, 2016 / 1:50 pm

    I have definitely thought, “I hope I’m not like my Dad,” but weirdly enough I think we have similar personalities. Or at least we have the same temper and intolerance for bullshit. My Mom, on the other hand, is chatty and likes to talk to random people all the time. I don’t. I’m the, “Book an appointment with me and we’ll socialize in this two-hour time frame,” lmao.

    http://www.dressupchowdown.com

    • Justine Iaboni
      September 20, 2016 / 2:21 pm

      HAHAHAHA love “or at least we have the same temper and intolerance for bullshit” DEAD. You’re hilarious. Well, at least you took after one of your parents. Note to self, never mess with Thuy!

      xo J

  4. September 20, 2016 / 11:16 am

    hahahaha your moms comment. too cute. i love this post and all those weird little quirks that you guys have in common. i think constantly shoving food down peoples throat is the best trait ever

    • Justine Iaboni
      September 20, 2016 / 2:22 pm

      OMG I know right? She’s so embarrassing sometimes!!!! lol. Ya, when people come over it’s like a feast at my apartment. Definitely took after her on that part. I swear her portion sizes would make the Cheesecake Factory look like fine dining. LOL Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment! Love hearing your reaction. xoxo J

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