Dear Mum, I’ve had an epiphany. And I'm sorry for a few things...

Dear Mum,

Look, I’ve had some time to think.

Now that I have had an 11-year-old daughter of my own, I’ve had a karmic revelation.

I now realise in hindsight that I may have been a little bit trying as a young tween myself.

I could blame a lot of it on hormones, but I won’t. I’ll just admit that I was a bit of a handful. And come to think of it, your grey hair did start to appear around the time I turned 11…

So, let me start with saying sorry for:

1. My mood swings.

I’m sorry that I got irrationally angry at you when you simply requested that I shut the freezer after removing an ice block.

Just as an FYI, you should know that this post is sponsored by COMBANTRIN®. But all opinions expressed by the author are 100% authentic and written in their own words.

This is merely one example of the times I overreacted to a perfectly reasonable request.

2. Using too much water.

I’m sorry that I used up all the hot water. No, really – considering my room was a dump, it must have baffled you that I could be physically so clean yet quite content to sleep in relative filth. I also remember we had a legitimate, state-wide water shortage during my tween years so thank you for letting me have my ‘hour of shower’ by not turning off the mains.

3. Using too much perfume.

I apologise for the suffocating deodorant. My memory is hazy but I believe I was quite fond of Impulse Musk which I sprayed upon my body quite liberally and quite often. You weren’t a fan of scents, of any kind, and I know that I must have actually assaulted your senses. For years.

4. My room.

I’m sorry for being messy. And a little unhygienic at times. My room really did resemble a rubbish dump most of the time. I cannot explain how I allowed this.I mean, seriously, you must have required a Hazmat suit just to enter and collect the dirty clothes I was too lazy to transport three metres to the laundry. I also thank you for deworming me with those chocolate squares when I needed them.

Related: 24 signs you have a teenager in da house.

I think we can both agree my moods got substantially better each time you enforced this, and thanks to you I now make sure I deworm my own kids, especially during the back to school period when they are more likely to bring worms home.

5. The repetitive music.

I wish I’d turned my music down and that I hadn’t played the same song (More than Words by Extreme, for example) 150 times in a row. Sure, it was a rough breakup but that didn’t mean I had to inflict similar pain upon you. If it makes it any better, I totally dodged a bullet with that Peter guy.

6. The grunting.

I apologise for the grunting. I really could have at least answered you with a ‘yes’ or a ‘no’. It wouldn’t have killed me but at the time it was all I could muster. Now that I’m on the receiving end of a grunt for an answer, I realise how frustrating this can be.

Mostly though Mum, I need to thank you. For allowing me to go through that period of time without judging me and more importantly, without alienating me.

You made sure I was well aware when you were disappointed in me or when I was out of line. But you did let me be 11 and to experience everything that felt so completely heightened at that age, without making me feel bad for doing so.

Related: Dear Mum – there are a few important things I’d like to tell you…

You taught me to be an understanding and yes, at times, exasperated mother myself. And most importantly, I want you to know that I miss you being here to tell you this in person.

What would you apologise to your mum for?

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