Here’s how it happened.

As a kid, I was convinced my parents were the weirdest, most annoying, most out-of-touch people alive. Everything they did made me cringe, roll my eyes, and vow: I will NEVER be like them.

And then they got divorced & the weirdness doubled.…

Now, try being a kid in the 70’s whose parents were divorced—it was like living in two totally different sitcoms. At Dad’s house we had shag carpet and went out to eat all meals (mostly because he claimed that he “knew how to cook” but never actually picked up a frying pan). At Mom’s, there were macramé plant hangers, and we ate goulash for four days straight. Honestly, I could see why Dad preferred restaurants.

Sundays were the worst—at moms place I played gin rummy with my cheating brothers to see who did the dishes. (Spoiler #1: I always lost. Spoiler #2: they cheated.)

Two houses. Two sets of rules. Two completely different lives. Back then, I swore I’d never turn into either of them. (And for the record, I was the oldest, so my version is gospel truth.) Fast forward a few decades… another spoiler alert: I became them. Not just a little bit—full-on. Same sayings, same habits, same “parent energy.” And looking back? I kind of get it now.

Here are just a few of the ways I morphed into the people I swore I’d never be:

1. The Thermostat Cold War

As a kid, the thermostat was more heavily guarded than the crown jewels. My dad could sense a one-degree change from three rooms away: “WHO touched it? Do you think we own the electric company?” And Mom had her go-to as well: “Who left the door open—were you born in a barn?” Then she’d toss us one of her crocheted afghans and say, “If you’re cold, move around. Jumping jacks are free. Or better yet, put on socks or those slippers I crocheted you.”

Me then: Relax, it’s just a degree. What’s the big deal?

Me later: standing in front of the thermostat like a guard dog, muttering about hydro bills and handing out blankets like it’s the fort-building championship. My kids got socks at Christmas, birthdays, from the Easter Bunny, and on July 4th—so they never had an excuse for cold feet.

2. Reusing Absolutely Everything

Butter tubs, Cool Whip containers, and Country Crock became “Tupperware.” Grocery bags doubled as drawer liners, garbage bags, and (in emergencies) waterproof socks.

Me then: mortified.

Me later: proudly stocking my “margarine tub army.” Half the fun was playing Refrigerator Roulette—Is this butter? Soup? A Salisbury steak from 1976?

Eventually I graduated to matching containers with lids attached (evolution!). But yes, I still keep a bag of gift bags inside another bag of gift bags—because that’s just how life works, isn’t it??

3. “Back in My Day”

I hated this phrase as a kid. It was always the prelude to a lecture about how hard life used to be.

Me then: I’ll never say that to my kids.

Me later: “Back in my day, Saturday mornings meant cartoons, a giant bowl of Tony the Tigers Frosted Flakes, and fighting over who got to change the channel—because yes, WE were the remote.”

Or, how about: “Back in my day, we fixed cassette tapes with a pencil and prayed we didn’t wind it too tight or Casey Kasem’s Top 100 was toast until next week.

Or, “Back in my day we didn’t have GOOGLE.  We had to look things up in an encyclopedia that my dad bought from a traveling salesman – come to think of it, he bought the Electrolux vacuum from the same greasy dude. 

And, lets not even talk about the hardships of a telephone “back in my days”, you know, the one where it was attached to the wall?  The one where there was no answering machine or call display, so you had no idea who it was if you didn’t make it to the phone to answer it. The one where if you wanted privacy, you would wind the 10 foot long cord through a room and sit in a closet to get the privacy necessary for your phone call?

And my kids? They didn’t care one bit. But that never stopped me from throwing out the “back in my day” lectures..

4. Movie Night: The Sleepy Time Olympics

We had one TV, so whatever was on at 8:00 Sunday night (because the paper TV guide told us), was what everyone watched. Dad’s pick: an old Western or WWE Wrestling (he’d be asleep in 20 minutes, snack and scotch still in hand). Mom’s pick: The Love Boat or The Wonderful World of Disney—she never made it past the second commercial break. 

Me then: Ridiculous.

Me now: asleep 10 minutes into a movie I chose, waking up only when someone laughs so I can fake-laugh along. Or worse, I wake up to my husbands finger stuck in my ear (inside joke, but the gods honest truth), it’s a laugh a minute.

5. “Because I Said So”

The ultimate conversation-ender. I despised it.

Me then: Swore I’d always explain. Swore I’d be the “cool parent”. ”I’ll never do that”.

Me later: tired, over-caffeinated, out of patience—“Because I said so” was oddly satisfying.

6. Grocery Cart Rage

Parents huffing about squeaky carts? Eye-roll material.

Me then: It’s just a cart, who cares?

Me later: sighing so loudly about one bum wheel that strangers nodd in solidarity.

7. Fashion Crimes

Dad’s polyester pants could’ve powered a fireworks display. Mom wore curlers to the grocery store and considered her avocado-green blender peak luxury.

Me then: Never. Not me.

Me now: “Elastic waistbands are practical,” while side-eying a lava lamp at a flea market.

Bonus Sayings I Swore I’d Never Repeat

• Mom (in her sassy, sarcastic little drawl) when asked if we vacuumed “Well, looks like you missed the floor.” Every. Single. Time.
• Us saying “in a minute.” Mom replying: “If I wanted it done in a minute, I’d ask in a minute.” Forty years later, I still use that one and not just with my kids and grandkids, I also use it with my husband and I’m sure he loves it.

Conclusion

Becoming my parents wasn’t the plan—but it happened. The same sayings, quirks, and habits I once rolled my eyes at became part of my own parenting routine whether I liked it or not. The truth is, they weren’t being “uncool.” They were just making life work—with humour, practicality, and a kind of scrappy wisdom.

So yeah, I’ve turned into them. And honestly? I’m not that mad about it. So, if one day you catch me in socks and sandals, humming the Happy Days theme while complaining about the thermostat—just remember, I was destined for this.

All joking aside, are you looking for a quick, cozy meal that tastes like it came straight from your favourite takeout spot? This Easy Asian Wonton Soup brings warm, savoury comfort to your table in just 20 minutes. With delicate wontons simmered in a flavourful broth, fresh vegetables, and a hint of garlic and ginger, it’s the perfect balance of light and satisfying.

What makes this recipe special is its simplicity—you can use store-bought frozen wontons (or homemade if you’re feeling ambitious), toss in a handful of bok choy and some mushrooms, and let the broth do the rest. Whether you’re fighting off the chill of winter or craving a healthy comfort meal, this Easy Asian Wonton Soup will quickly become a go-to recipe in your home. 

Let me know how you like it!