You Don’t Want a Cool Parent Unless…

You don’t want a cool parent unless

you want to only talk about video games with them.

Unless you’re okay with silence,

even when your heart’s been screaming all day.

You don’t want a cool parent unless

you’re ready for someone

who doesn’t ask about your day

even though you always ask them about theirs.

You don’t want a cool parent unless

you’re fine with seeing them only when

they need to charge their controller,

not their connection to you.

You don’t want a cool parent unless

you’re okay being background noise

to the voice in their headset.

Unless you’re okay with

“yeah sure” being the answer to everything,

even when your words mean more than that.

You don’t want a cool parent unless

you’re ready to wonder if they still remember

what your favorite color is.

Or how you used to sleep to the ocean

because it made you feel safe.

You don’t want a cool parent unless

you’re okay with watching them

have more fun with their friends than you.

Laugh louder, longer—

like you weren’t right there in the next room,

just wanting a moment.

You don’t want a cool parent unless

you’re okay watching them turn soft for someone else

while you sit at the edge of the room

hoping for your turn.

You don’t want a cool parent unless

you’re used to being the adult in the conversation

just to feel seen.

You don’t want a cool parent unless

you’re okay with getting perfect grades

because that’s all they see—

not your words,

not your shaking hands,

not your quiet ache.

You don’t want a cool parent unless

you know how to tuck your own feelings in at night,

because they won’t be coming to check on them.