Guest on the show “Dad-Dudes” was Peggy Stathakopoulou, who talked about the relationship she has built with her daughter and how she works to prevent her from succumbing to “excesses” caused by stress and anxiety.
I used to call a lot during her first year of college because she was studying in Crete. I realized that this wasn’t healthy for either of us. I replaced it with messages after a mutual agreement and out of necessity. It’s not possible when she comes back from a club at 5 in the morning.
We replaced it with messages like ‘When you get back, remember to send a message to mom?’ When she didn’t send a message, I had a panic attack, a big panic attack.
She was in Thessaloniki, had told me she would send a message, I called, and it was silent. I went through all the scenarios, woke up all my friends in Thessaloniki, considered calling the police, informed her father. But I realized on my own that it was a mistake. I look at it, I now work on it.
I think the collaboration of both parents is alpha and omega. The presence of Christina’s father was very valuable. We are a family and very loved regardless of moves. Parents cannot move forward with animosity.”
I always wanted to have children, and when I had my daughter, I felt lucky because we would have common goals. But I am sure that if I had a son, I would create communication islands and deep connection. When I met my husband, I knew I wanted to go far and start a family. My daughter is studying medicine, involved in sports, and is voracious about life and joy. I try through my own work to accept that this little creature I raised slowly doesn’t need me in the same way.
I try to set up my own life separately from my daughter, and this happens when they leave home. It becomes clear that our lives take different paths. I want her to listen to herself, be brave, even if it hurts me, and to respect her. That’s the most important. To respect her and learn through new phases to respect the people she loves. Love is respect; I respect what you are, even if I disagree with many things you believe or live.
I feel that everything matters immensely. Every rehearsal, every performance, every anxiety. From a very young age, I shared everything with Christina. Before premieres, it was a given that she would give me a hug, and I would tell her, ‘I’m afraid,’ and she would become a little mother there. She was and is always there on the first day and on all the difficult days and performances. I think the fact that I let and still let this happen, telling the truth, was something we often discussed. That is, we will tell the truth.
I think this made her very strong because she saw her mom vulnerable, hurt, defeated, and we always talked about it, didn’t pretend it wasn’t happening. Through sports and victories, she understood that you move on with defeats. She is intense, competitive, perfectionist, and it’s something that works. She is a mature person, and I admire her unlimitedly.
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