My parents failed me a lot. My childhood sucked, and because of that I go through life numb.

I couldn't even start to heal until I realized my parents are people. Flawed people. The first time my mom came to me for reassurance, I understood the insecure woman that was doing her best and putting up a strong front.

The time my dad opened up and almost apologized for what was so obviously the wrong thing, I saw a man who isn't unwilling to acknowledge his failings, he's fundamentally unable to recognize them.

There are no adults, we're all just children putting up a front. It makes you feel safe to think the people in control of us are competent... If you like how things are. Otherwise, it's like living under a cruel god

Understanding they're people doing the best they can makes you feel a hell of a lot less alone when things aren't good

Believing your parents are infallible is good for one thing - equating belief in authority with safety. It doesn't make them happier or better equipped to actually handle the world - it only makes them feel safe under very specific circumstances

Don't tell your children everything, but don't lie to them. You're responsible for teaching them how the world works - lie to them about your own competence, and they'll be crippled in understanding until they see through your lies