Re: Unsupportive parents-been there!

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Posted by Miss Monica on August 3, 2001 at 19:32:17:

In reply to: Re: Unsupportive parents (a little general advice) posted by Jenna on August 3, 2001 at 17:28:11:

Hellooo Jenna!

I had this same reaction from my parents when I first started doing
henna. My Mom would come home to find me hard at work on a difficult
design on myself, and she'd make a face like she smelled something
really foul. Then in her best condescending voice she would sneer,
"You're not doing That Thing to your hand again, are you?" Now, my Mom
loves me but we are really different kinds of people. She is efficient,
motivated, full of energy, practical, etc... I'm easy going, artistic,
understanding (I hope), and drawn to things that are a little out there
or mysterious and romantic.
I understand that she doesn't get me, and this helps me to see that
when she critisizes something I try or do I shouldn't take it
personaly. She just has a hard time understanding me.

Your folks are a little weirded out by henna, and that's ok. They
don't know what it's about, or what it means to you. Yes, if this was a
perfect world or if they were perfect they would be supportive just
because it is something you want to do. This is not a perfect world,
and they are only human! Keep talking to them about it, be patient,
show them that it is harmless fun that will not lead to you piercing
every available body part or running off to join a cult, and I bet they
will eventualy come around. Heck, they might even come to appreciate
it, like mine have.

By the way, now it is 5 years after my run-ins with my Mom over henna.
I have done henna for Disney Entertainment, Louis Vuitton, and Vogue
Magazine as well as lots of private swanky parties, and my folks think
it's great. Hang in there! Be patient, try not to get too emotional,
and give your folks a chance to get comfortable with the henna groove.
In the mean time, practice on paper, friends, or however you can until
you can henna yourself. Good luck!!

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: Hellooo Jenna! : : I had this same reaction from my parents when I first started doing : henna. My Mom would come home to find me hard at work on a difficult : design on myself, and she'd make a face like she smelled something : really foul. Then in her best condescending voice she would sneer, : "You're not doing That Thing to your hand again, are you?" Now, my Mom : loves me but we are really different kinds of people. She is efficient, : motivated, full of energy, practical, etc... I'm easy going, artistic, : understanding (I hope), and drawn to things that are a little out there : or mysterious and romantic. : I understand that she doesn't get me, and this helps me to see that : when she critisizes something I try or do I shouldn't take it : personaly. She just has a hard time understanding me. : : Your folks are a little weirded out by henna, and that's ok. They : don't know what it's about, or what it means to you. Yes, if this was a : perfect world or if they were perfect they would be supportive just : because it is something you want to do. This is not a perfect world, : and they are only human! Keep talking to them about it, be patient, : show them that it is harmless fun that will not lead to you piercing : every available body part or running off to join a cult, and I bet they : will eventualy come around. Heck, they might even come to appreciate : it, like mine have. : : By the way, now it is 5 years after my run-ins with my Mom over henna. : I have done henna for Disney Entertainment, Louis Vuitton, and Vogue : Magazine as well as lots of private swanky parties, and my folks think : it's great. Hang in there! Be patient, try not to get too emotional, : and give your folks a chance to get comfortable with the henna groove. : In the mean time, practice on paper, friends, or however you can until : you can henna yourself. Good luck!!
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