On Growing Up and Parent Fears in Cuba

Mercedes Gonzales Aguade

HAVANA TIMES — Now that classes have started, my one, dear son reproached me for the few times we went out during the summer break. He’s right, but I tried to explain to him that going out is a luxury these days, that one has to content oneself with going to the beach, the occasional amusement park, etc.

My son, however, is now a teenager, and what he wants is to party and have fun – the same things I wanted at his age.

I still don’t let my baby go out to discos. I’m worried, because the streets are getting rougher every day. It’s a very stressful situation. I try to postpone the inevitable, but I know I won’t be able to do so for much longer. He’s already old enough to do it and most of his friends are already doing it.

I go as far as using a bit of emotional blackmail: I remind him of my limitations, my disability, and tell him his demands stress me and affect my health. This is not exactly a lie, but I know I have to get past all that and let him go out.

It will be another stage in life, full of new challenges, fears and shocks I will have to face. I hope I measure up to them.