I think my Dad understood that. That he and my Mom couldn't fully appreciate what I was experiencing. My mom was the one who was actively involved in my growing-up years (even though I do not agree with the choices she (and Dad) made like mainstreaming, etc.). However, like when I was bored on a weekend, instead of Dad making me hang out with old stuffy relatives if he knew I wanted to go hang out with my deaf friends, he would always let me, and say "yes, you do need to go be with your friends." I'm not sure if I'm wording this correctly, but he was always very gracious about it -- I think he got that I needed some "deaf" time with others I could relate to.
