Home Again
.
Simon is definitely moving back home by October 1 when his lease is up. He's been waffling for months. I totally understand. I told him a year ago, once a kid moves out, it's really hard to come back. And he's under the wacky delusion that I want him to move home. This is apparently a common misconception on the part of lots of young adults, from talking to some of my co-workers.
"Mom, I know you're really happy that I'm moving home."
"Simon. Not that happy, really. I've gotten as used to you not being here as you have. I'm happy for the right reasons, the same reasons as you have, financial & educational reasons."
He plans on going to school for auto mechanics and eventually opening his own shop. I could not be more pleased because these are two things I've been telling him for years he would excel at. I've never met someone with such innate mechanical skills.
But.
His room in the basement is in the exact condition he left it - a total mess. I told him he's not bringing one thing into this house until that room is ship-shape. I've yet to see any action, but it's only September 3.
I told him that he & I will have an agreement and so far these are my points:
1. He doesn't have to make life for Steve and me easier - but he can't make it harder: physically, financially, etc.
2. He must turn off lights and TV when not in use. He made me crazy with this when he lived here before.
3. He must recycle. Non-negotiable.
Pretty easy, huh?
He may be procrastinating cleaning up his room, but I'm definitely not procrastinating stressing over it. If he spent just a couple of hours and made the tiniest bit of progress, he has no idea how much better that would make me feel. It will all get done, I know it will. He always comes through - just rarely on my timetable.
In rereading this, it sounds like I'm not at all happy about Simon moving home. But really, I am. I'm glad he finally has a plan. I've seen him grow and mature over the past year. I know it will be stressful in some ways but the ends definitely justifies whatever means it takes to get there.
Deep breaths.
.
"Mom, I know you're really happy that I'm moving home."
"Simon. Not that happy, really. I've gotten as used to you not being here as you have. I'm happy for the right reasons, the same reasons as you have, financial & educational reasons."
He plans on going to school for auto mechanics and eventually opening his own shop. I could not be more pleased because these are two things I've been telling him for years he would excel at. I've never met someone with such innate mechanical skills.
But.
His room in the basement is in the exact condition he left it - a total mess. I told him he's not bringing one thing into this house until that room is ship-shape. I've yet to see any action, but it's only September 3.
I told him that he & I will have an agreement and so far these are my points:
1. He doesn't have to make life for Steve and me easier - but he can't make it harder: physically, financially, etc.
2. He must turn off lights and TV when not in use. He made me crazy with this when he lived here before.
3. He must recycle. Non-negotiable.
Pretty easy, huh?
He may be procrastinating cleaning up his room, but I'm definitely not procrastinating stressing over it. If he spent just a couple of hours and made the tiniest bit of progress, he has no idea how much better that would make me feel. It will all get done, I know it will. He always comes through - just rarely on my timetable.
In rereading this, it sounds like I'm not at all happy about Simon moving home. But really, I am. I'm glad he finally has a plan. I've seen him grow and mature over the past year. I know it will be stressful in some ways but the ends definitely justifies whatever means it takes to get there.
Deep breaths.
.Labels: Etsy, Family, What I'm Working On
posted by Stefani at 6:14 AM
3 Comments:
Maybe kids have to convince themselves that this is what YOU want so they won't have to feel so bad about intruding on your tranquil life. Of feel bad about "not making it in the real world." Or maybe they truly believe it. Whatever the story, it's a sensible move financially and really, it's great that you can provide a place for him to live while he takes this next step. I mean, what if you and Steve had sold the house and moved to Tahiti?
Both of my kids moved back home because of financial/educational reasons, too. Fortunately, one is living at her father's place, and the other is away at college and will only be here on the weekends she decides to come home. I love my daughters more than anything else in the world, but I sure do enjoy my empty nest!
Our daughter came home once. Now I don't know what is going to happen. She has no job, don't think she is trying, and we have no room for her and two cats.
Post a Comment
Links to this post:
Create a Link
<< Home