I still
cannot fathom the following.
I am a logical, calm, dignified, utterly awesome mom with phenomenal musical taste. After all, Barry Manilow rules! Followed closely by, Maynard Ferguson, Chuck Mangione, the track of West Side Story and the like.
But! My utterly brilliant child….loves hard rock.
I have no idea where her genes got so, ahem, screwed up! While I will not allow rap into my house, I can’t find a real reason to forbid rock….and actually, as said kid uses it as a way to express herself, I’m rather proud that she’s forging her own path.
It would be so easy to try and change her…but if there’s one thing my 4 decades have taught me, it’s:
Better a spirit that rebounds….rather than one that breaks.
This is the kid, mind you, who had her hair streaked red on a whim. The kid whose favorite colors are black. The kid who is a straight A student, and the kid who always is open to learning from my experiences. Talk about a unique combination of qualities.
Parenting….it’s a hero’s journey. 
Barbara
ps – want Barry Manilow goodies?