Learning how to treat my now adult teen has been a chore for me. I have spent my whole life teaching her things so she will be prepared when she became an adult, and now that she has, I still find myself in the same teaching mode. She tells me "mom, I remember that you taught me that already" so I guess I have done my job. Although I don't feel that a mom's work is ever finished, I know that she is now on her own and will be doing most things on her own. I miss having my darling daughter here with me, especially during her high school years. Living those high school years was so much fun. Aside from the studying for tests and all the homework, things went rather smoothly. My daughter was a joy, and I miss her dearly. I find that now with her gone, I no longer have anyone to discuss things with, or take shopping with me, but I am learning how to be an empty-nester. I still have her horse close by that I go and visit, but I will be so happy when my daughter comes home to visit...and that should be soon...but it won't be a long visit because she will be leaving to her next duty station. Enjoy your teen daughters while they are still at home, because once they leave, there's a big change in your life.

Helping Your Adult Teen With Money

Ok, so they turn the big 18....what does this mean?  They are adults.  Well, yes, and no. What I mean is, that when a person becomes 18, they are legally an adult. Society says so. However, I know that just because you turn this magical number, doesn't always mean that you are ready to jump into the adult world. What about checking and banking?  What about credit cards? A place of your own? How about all those bills that go along with moving out and being on your own?  I think that a large number of 18-yr olds get out into the world and are not really ready to jump in head first, so it's really important that they learn as much as possible before they turn 18. Most high schools offer "life" classes, which is really good....but have you sat down with your teen and talked to them about these kind of things? With my daughter, I made sure that I taught her how to go out and apply for a job, opened up a checking account and explained to her how to use it, and not only that, I taught her how to save some of her money as well. For teens, and actually for a good many of us, saving is hard, and sometimes next to impossible. Start with a small amount to see if it works. My daughter hasn't tried to get a credit card yet, so it's all good for now, however, I know that the day will come, and she has already started out good by getting her cell phone in her own name and keeping up with the bills. Maybe that's a decent start. If you haven't sat down with your teen to talk about money and the future, maybe now is the time !

My Darling Daughter and Christmas Holiday

Now that my teenaged daughter has gone into The Navy, things have definetly changed around here....no longer am I having to wait up at night for my darling daughter to come in late.... no longer do I have to worry about her getting up and leaving for work on time, however, I miss my daughter so very much.!  I now have an empty nest. It is quiet around here. Now I have the worry of a mother worrying over her grown child. Waiting to hear from her and wondering if she's okay in her new life. I am a proud mother. I feel that my daughter was well equipped to enter the adult world. Actually they told her in boot camp that she was very mature for her age and that she would go very far in life because she was very good in the things that she accomplished. You don't know how happy that made me to hear that. We still have her horse, Miss Frenchie, and are trying to keep up with everything while she's gone...but she will get to come home for Christmas and I am so glad about that. This is going to be a very special Christmas indeed.