18 & beyond

18 & beyond.

And so, as quickly as they came into your lives, they are already departing. Two things happen at this time. Parents either fall into depression or celebrate their new-found independence and mobility. Perhaps a little of both. Young men and women off to college also make an amazing transformation. In hindsight, most parents don’t look so archaic and dumb after all. Indeed, as the years progress, parents seem to get smarter.

Are your worries over? Of course not. These days, after college we often see our children return for another dose of lodging, food and shelter from the big world out there. Parents will always be parents and children always children, far into old age, when the roles often reverse.

If you follow the advice in this little book, at least you can rest assured that you have prepared them as best you could, given your level of sensitivity, patience and energy. You will make mistakes. So did your parents. So will your children. But, at least you will have each other. And the great comfort of caring and love.

Well, the kid is gone. But not far and not forever, if all goes well. Let’s hope you heeded my advice in the first stage of your child’s development and started the college fund early . . .