I know it’s been a while since posting. We went back to Florida for the holidays and are ready to head back to Los Angeles after the New Year for Pilot Season. Cody told me at one point that he wants to live in Los Angeles. I told him he can do whatever he wants once he turns 18, but I won’t be staying in California. It’s a beautiful state, and there is a lot to see, but I’m a small-town girl. I won’t be staying.
I remember when Cody hit the terrible two’s. And then it got worse when he was three. I was widowed and raising him on my own, and he was out of control. All I could think was “I need to get a handle on this now, because if I don’t, he’ll be worse in ten years.” Well, he’s twelve now. We’re dealing with some bumps and bruises. he’s pre-teen, and getting the attitude at times that goes along with it. We have discussions (Okay, so as a parent, they are mostly one-sided). I don’t see it as any different from any parent–although I WILL welcome any and all feedback from those parents who have survived the teens years….I want to know…HOW!?
Mind you, for the most part, Cody is respectful, and considering I am retired military, I don’t tolerate game-playing, rudeness, attitude, and disprespect well, and I let him know that when I see it.
So the questions arise (and I still don’t know the answers to), how many times is too many to tell him the sacrifices that we are making for this to happen? All parents sacrifice to make life better for their kids. With my husband (his step-father) in Florida, it is not easy to pick up and go across the country for months at a time. It’s a decision we made as a family because as his parents, we believe in him.
How does one know if their child can handle a life as an actor? Honestly, I don’t think anyone can know for sure. We do our best to keep them grounded in reality. As things begin happening, they get busy, book jobs and continue to get busy, it can become a challenge. The best thing is to not become star-struck by your own child and their stardom, no matter what level they are at. As we meet more and more people that are on TV shows and in films, it is nice to know that they are all “real” people. This is a job for them, for whatever reason, regardless of their age. Actors do it because they love to act, and to make it work, you have to stick with it. Those that stick with it do so because they love it.
Cody is 12, going on 30 in many ways. I’m sure like most kids out there, also figuring out who he is as a person, while persuing his dream. We will go back out to California, and he’ll have auditions and acting classes, as well as school. And we’ll continue to have discussions on respecting your parents–not just everyone else. We’ll get through to him…eventually. And the discussions will continue.
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