Students reflect on guardian support, trust

Julianna Poe, Online Editor-in-Chief

From support in expressing new interests and ideas to the independence and freedoms given, for a number of students their parents and guardians help them discover who they are in a way that makes those students feel understood.

“I feel like, especially when I was younger, my parents always took me seriously,” sophomore Allie Cloyd said, “even when maybe other adults didn’t as much, and looking back, I really appreciate that.”

Consistently, Cloyd’s family trips are a key highlight in her relationship with her parents.

“When it comes to my parents, I think traveling with them is always just a very happy memory and fun experience,” Cloyd said.

Sophomore Anna Jund also enjoys “family vacations” as well as the level of openness she has with her parents.

“[I’m close to my parents] to a point. I know I can always talk to them no matter what,” Jund said. “There’s nothing I really couldn’t talk to them about, but I don’t have a lot of things that I would need to talk to them about.”

According to Jund, one of the reasons she has a strong relationship with her parents correlates to the freedom she has to explore new interests and the fact that she can be reassured her parents will support her.

“They support me in what I like to do, like sports and activity-wise,” Jund said. “They’re always there for me and willing to stand up for me if I need that.”

To sophomore Lucas Holdren, his freedom to consider new ideas and beliefs sets his parents apart from other parents, which he appreciates.

“I’d say [my parents] don’t force … their beliefs on me, … whether it be politically or religious, [instead] they … want me to make my own decisions,” Holdren said. “They also just want me to be smart about … what I say and what I think … They want me to make my own views.”

For sophomore Grace Ruder, she enjoys the freedom to experience the consequences of her actions and learn from them.

“I wouldn’t say I have crazy parents. My mom lets me do whatever I want, on a reasonable level, and then she lets me learn from my mistakes,” Ruder said. “If you screw up, it’s on you. That’s basically my mom.”

According to Holdren, at the end of the day, his parents are only looking out for him and have his best interests in mind. While he finds it “really annoying to take a phone” on runs and bike rides, Holdren respects his parents’ wishes.

“They’re not overprotective. They’re not overbearing,” Holdren said. “They want to make sure I do well in life. They are willing to help along the way, whatever that means … They support me in [whatever] I’m attempting to do.”