User blog comment:MichaelDiaz101/A Visit From Dad/@comment-26358727-20180215140938/@comment-26358727-20180216140655

Aw, I definitely know what you mean. Seeing others become inspired can be one of the most inspiring moments to a writer, so I'm really glad that you've found a method of challenging yourself to be constantly improving. It says a lot about you as a writer, and I definitely admire that!

Experience is the best teacher, they say, and it never hurts to inject a little bit of your own experience into a character's narrative to add some humanity to them.

I'm just sorry to hear about your experience with fatherly figures. I know things certainly haven't been easy with my own father since my parents separated; it created quite a distance that I don't think will ever be properly mended. Eighteen years is a lot of lost time. I certainly hope that you can start making up for your own lacking experiences with the support of your wife's family. It sounds like a true blessing. ( :

I don't know if I'm old enough to speak on the topic with much certainty, just because I believe I'm still within the range of what people would consider an 'entitled child', but I do agree with you. I mean, it's normal for every generation to cast judgement on the one following them up, but I'm not sure the volume of outspoken criticism against today's youth is very healthy because the previous generations are essentially telling those children to cope their social anxieities alone and not confide in others for fear of ridicule. If they can't seek help in dealing with things as children, what impact is that going to have on their adulthood?

It pains me to hear about your cousin, though, believe me. There are certain things every child in a first-world country should be 'entitled' to, and stability at home is one of them.