It's Not Easy Being a Referee

The Midlife Referee was intended as a way to vent my frustrations with being sandwiched between aging parents and growing kids.  Not that I'm complaining - I am very thankful to have both my parents and my kids.  But as the oldest child of my parents, I've always been the one to take charge.  I've been the one who always tried to fix things.  I always wanted everybody to be happy.

I realize now that I can't always fix everything, but I still try.

I wouldn't be any good at being a real referee, but at least they have rules they can follow.  Me?  I just roll with the punches, go with the flow, however you want to say it.  I'm not always good at thinking on my feet, but I try.

Still, sometimes the self-imposed pressure to make things right for my family can be stressful.  I can't take sides, even though I have definite opinions.  I have to keep the peace, and that means mediating and telling both sides what they need to hear, but at the same time encouraging them to see the other side.  Sometimes I get through to them, sometimes I don't.

And sometimes, it gets me down.  I want my family to be happy, to have good relationships.  Yes, we are going to have differences of opinion.  But the bottom line is we are family and we shouldn't let those little things come between us.  (Somebody remind me of that next time I'm the one mad, will you?)

It's not easy being a referee, but in spite of the stresses involved, refereeing can sometimes be rewarding, too.