How My Parents’ Jokes Killed Our Trust

I had a close childhood friend—let’s call her Mia. We built forts, traded comics, and talked about stupid kid stuff. But my parents ruined it. Every time I mentioned her: "Ooooh, is she your girlfriend?" Cue exaggerated winks, family gathering teasing, and my face burning. I stopped hanging out with Mia just to avoid their "jokes." Worse? It didn’t end in childhood. As an adult, I hid relationships for years because I couldn’t trust them. Their assumptions—wrapped in "harmless fun"—taught me: "Share nothing. They’ll twist it." If your kid mentions a friend of the opposite sex, listen, don’t label. Let them define the relationship. A simple "Tell me about them!" keeps doors open. A joke? Slams them shut. #ParentingFail #EmotionalSafety #BreakingCycles #ListenDontAssume