Image: INF

I casually read the first Twilight book and thought it was pretty good, but was not obsessed.  Then last week I read the second book in the series, New Moon, and couldn’t put it down!  I ran to the book store as soon as I turned the last page and was so saddened to find that Eclipse hadn’t been released in paperback yet.  Could I force myself to wait a few weeks to find out what happens between Bella, Edward, and Jacob?  I decided that instead of spending too much money on the book that I would read once, I would spend some time thinking about the cultural obsession with the Twilight series and why it is that adults find themselves hooked on these teenage novels.

I realize that I wasn’t too interested in the Harry Potter series because I didn’t find anything relatable in it.  I wasn’t interested in keeping track of all of the new words that the author created for the fantasy world that the characters lived in.  Where Harry Potter was about fun words and complicated magic, Twilight is about a love story.  The fantasy element is important, but I think that readers keep turning pages because of the love that Bella and Edward feel for each other.  Even though the main characters are teenagers, the love that they express seems deep and permanent.

Twilight was about Bella and Edward falling in love, but New Moon was about the heart-wrenching and confusing experience of being dumped.  I think every woman who has fallen deeply in love can relate to the pain and suffering that Bella experiences as she tries to move on with her life without Edward.  The way she describes her loss and the actions that she takes to fill the hole in her life seem exaggerated, but they are actually extremely relatable.  The confusion that is caused by her relationship with her best friend Jacob is also extremely realistic.  How many times have women been confused about a guy friend…do I love him as a friend or a boyfriend?  Am I really ready to move on?

The Twilight series was written for teenagers, but the feelings that the characters experience are definitely for adults.  You don’t have to think Robert Pattison is a hottie or have an interest in Science Fiction to fall in love with the Twilight series.  You just have to know what it feels like to love and lose and you will feel that part of you is written into each novel.

Post from: Blisstree

Bella and Edward: Relating To Twilight Love

The problem in relationships between adults and their adult children is that through their own life experiences the children grow to see their parents as imperfect adults.  As they mature and change as they move through the different stages of growing up they no longer need the guidance and direction that their parents provided them.  Tensions can grow as both the parents and children become older,  more stuck in their ways, and unwilling to adapt to their new relationship.

All of this sounds pretty difficult, but really my point is that we should just accept that this situation between adult parents and children exists and move forward.  Accept that you are no longer parent and child, but both adults.  You can enjoy similar activities and speak on the same level.  You can enjoy each other’s company without worrying about long held disputes and constant judgments.  Truly try to let go of the past relationship that you had, and start a new one where you are both equals and friends. Continue to treat your parents with the respect that they deserve and offer them assistance when it is needed, but interact with them on a loving and friendly level.

I offer this advice because I know that parents grow old and the times that we can spend with them now should be treasured.  We all grow old fast, so it’s important to enjoy each other’s company while we can.  For those of you with super complicated parent-child relationships, these musings are not for you.  Instead this is for those of you who can just feel that bit of stress and tension surrounding time spent with your parents.  If you feel that in the slightest, these are some things to just keep in mind to help you find peace.

Image: sxc.hu

Post from: Blisstree

Parents & Kids: Relationships as Adults

Post from: Blisstree

To Tell The Truth