Did your parents hug you? A lot? Never? Only on special occasions?
After spending the weekend with my 8 year old grandson I realized that he was okay with hugging me. As a Grammy I want to be hugged repeatedly and in a hard embrace. This is new to this generation, from my experience. I remember hugging my children and they hug me, spontaneously, which warms my heart.
As a child, I don’t recall being embraced by my parents. My mother was usually sweet, dominating, and busy. I asked several mature adults and many don’t specifically remember spontaneous exchanges of affection with their parents.
As I think of it, the post war parent generation had it hard, in many ways excusing their distance and lack of overt affection. My dad was the oldest of 7 and had to parent his siblings when his mother died of cancer when he was nineteen. My mother was the oldest of 7 girls. Both of my parents were children of immigrants and determined to work hard, make money, and complete their high educations. I thank them in my heart. I am glad that I unknowingly passed on hugs and kisses to my children.
Life Gets Better 