I really enjoyed reading “Promises, Promises” by fellow blogger Michele Cheplic. It brought me back to the days when my children declared they would live with me forever.
In fact, I clearly remember a conversation I had with my oldest son when he was in the 5th grade. His class took a fieldtrip to the University of Milwaukee, where they got to learn about some of the studies offered there and what it was like to live in a dorm.
Now to this day I don’t understand how a 5th grade class would benefit from such a thing but whatever…that’s a different story.
The point is that I can recall him being concerned about the whole idea of not living at home. It clearly bothered him.
Then one time when he just started high school, he declared that he was going to live with us until he got married. Considering how incredibly shy he is, I was a bit worried, thinking that what he was really saying is, “I plan on living with you guys until I’m in my 30’s.”
Well now he’s 18 and he leaves in less than two weeks for basic training in Texas. Yeah, so much for living with us until he gets married.
I have heard similar sentiments from my other two. But it wasn’t that long ago when my 15-year-old daughter declared, “I can’t wait until I turn 18 and can move out!” Ouch, that hurt a bit.
At least Michele is smart enough to know that her daughter’s feelings will change…and in more ways than one. Yes, she will likely feel very differently when she turns 16. But the good news is that
it doesn’t necessarily mean she will be ready to move out every single moment.
It’s just when you annoy her…or tell her no…or get on her nerves…or treat her “unfairly”…or breathe.
Okay, okay…it’s really not all that bad. It can just sometimes feel that bad.
My mantra is, “This too shall pass.”
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