2 down.........2 to go!

OK, Child number 2 (Amanda) the child who would have rather been homeless then get a job (and she still hasn't landed one yet and even admitted to me that she hasn't been looking) moved into her first apartment today.......how you ask? Well, it's an accident waiting to happen.....it's a 2 bedroom 1 bath apartment to be shared by an ever changing cast of characters........first was her and her boyfriend Wayne, then Wayne's best friend and his girl....problem with that is both the girls wanted to be Diva's and as you all know bu now, only one Diva per household! lol

So they have another 'Couple' that is moving in with then later this week, and no matter how much I have tried to tell her that this is destined to be a disaster, she is more like me than I ever thought possible and in spite of herself is going to do this anyway! I have to keep reminding myself she is almost 20 and has to learn things the hard way, much like her Mother. She knows I pretty much stick to my guns on almost everything so even after living from friends house to friends house and sometimes sleeping in her car, she has not asked me for anything......I guess I will not know if tough love is working until I see her fly then soar on her own.

When our oldest Daughter moved out earlier in the year, she did not ask for anything either, we helped her and her Fiance Tony, move  into their own apartment and I went out grocery shopping for them. I bought all the necessities that a new household needs, paper products, cleaning products, and the basic grocery items. They did not ask, but I told them to consider it a house warming gift from Mom and Dad......and I did the same for Amanda and Wayne......if they want to spread their wings and fly they can do it on a full stomach and after that they are on their own. They will make their own way in life because sooner or later all the guidance and all the lessons taught will take effect and they will prove to us they were listening all along....even though we felt it was always a brick wall we were speaking too. After all, I was far...far... FAR.... worse and I turned out all right! lol

The one thing I want most for my children is to prove me wrong when I thing they are making a mistake...........show me that I underestimated them and that they need me less than I ever thought. After all, isn't that what every parent wants......a self sufficient child? Now with 2 gone from the nest and 2 more to go I just look at the 2 youngest (13 & 14) and think to myself........"Now what they hell are you gonna put me through before you fly from me!" LOL

Having babies is easy........raising babies is easy.......surviving their teenage years is where the true challenge begins!!!  2 down, 2 to go..........Lord give me strength and patience.........I need a lot of both! And let me..... be able to let them........ make their mistakes....after all life will always come with lessons.