The Problem With a Double Life

Lot's of people have divorced parents, and I know I'm not the only one who knows what it's like to live two different lives.  The thing is, my parents getting a divorce was the best and worst thing that has ever happened to me.  It's complicated and confusing, but I'm going to talk a little bit about the complications of living under two different types of rules.  My mom and dad got divorced when I was three years old, so it's pretty much the only lifestyle I have ever known.  

When I was three, my dad ended up moving to New Hampshire with my Nana right after the divorce.  I was devastated because I didn't understand why he was moving away from me.  I may have only been three, but I remember the exact day that he told me he was moving like it was yesterday.  I stayed in Maine with my mom and we ended up moving in with my grandparents for about a year.  I don't really remember much more, I actually don't even remember living with my grandparents, but my parents have told me the story a million times. 

Living with my mom has been an emotional roller-coaster.  I love my mom right to death, but we don't tend to agree on much of anything.  For the longest time she was really strict and wouldn't let me do much, but I deserved it because I would always give her an attitude.  My mom's rules were along the lines of no swearing, no drugs, which I don't do anyways, no boyfriends, etc.  When I was a freshman in high school I made a mistake and ended up getting grounded for four months, which didn't help our relationship at all.  I gave her hell because I was so angry, but once again I deserved it.  Fortunately, when I got my license my mom began to loosen up on me and she let me have more freedom.  I didn't want to lose her trust, so I was careful about the decisions I made.  Now that I'm 18 she doesn't really have many rules for me anymore, but thats because I'm responsible now and I'm careful of what I do because I know my sister is watching my every move.  

My dad on the other hand is the complete opposite of my mom.  COMPLETE OPPOSITE.  I've never met two people that are so different from each other.  They have different opinions and beliefs on every single thing, and I honestly don't know how they ever got married in the first place.  Anyways, my dad has always been the laid back parent in my life.  He really doesn't have any rules for me, as long as I'm smart.  He obviously wouldn't let me go out and do drugs and party every night, but he doesn't care if I date, swear, or go out with my friends whenever I want.  It's hard living five hours away from him, and soon I will be even further when I move to New York, but no matter what he is always there for me.  My step mom Christine is my best friend, and she and my mom don't get along at all.  This is the biggest complication in my life because my parents just don't agree on anything and I'm always the one in the middle of it.  

Although I get so stressed out living this double life, it is also the best thing that has ever happened to me.  If my parents hadn't gotten a divorce I never would have had two wonderful step parents or three half siblings.  Like I said in my previous post, my siblings mean the world to me, and I'm so happy to have them in my life.  I can't imagine what my life would have been like if my parents had stayed together, but I know I wouldn't have been nearly as fortunate as I am now.  People always say that everything happens for a reason, and I agree one hundred percent.