Proud of my young adult!

While I'm boasting about my kids...

Our oldest daughter will turn 21 in two weeks. Holy cow! Am I really old enough to be the mother of a 21 year old!?

This young lady has demonstrated a level of responsibility and poise that would make any parent just burst with pride, and I'm the lucky parent!

She holds a full-time job as a front desk agent and concierge at a four star resort. She is going to school full-time. She is buying a car, paying the insurance, paying on school loans and paying rent all by herself. She amazes us.

Her freshman year in college she lived in the dorm and didn't care much for it. She lived at home her sophomore year and didn't care much for it. I don't think it was us so much as it was her desire to be independent, not have to tell anyone when she'll be home or have to check in. Can't say as I blame her.

Yes, she's a young adult, but she is still our child. The whole parent thing doesn't vanish the minute they become an adult. We will always worry if she isn't home by what we consider a reasonable time. If you live under our roof, you have to check-in - no matter how old you are. We asked her "what on earth do you need to be doing ANYWHERE at 3 in the morning?" Her boyfriend turned out to be an unlikely ally when he agreed with us! I don't think it was so much that she really wanted to be out that late as much as she wanted to know that she COULD because she's an adult and adults don't have to answer to anyone.

So, she saved her money over the summer. She put out feelers all over the place that she was looking for roommates. Eventually she found a house and moved out just before the school year started.

Now she does things like turn off all the lights that aren't necessary, check the thermostat and have her daddy come fix a running toilet (water bill was out of control!). It's funny to hear her talk about the cost of things, though she's always been a good bargain shopper. I just see a level of conscientiousness that wasn't there until she had to pay the bill herself.

As her parents we do wish that we could help out more. She will always have a roof over her head and food in her tummy at our home. At her home she will have a sense of pride and accomplishment that comes with hard work and dedication.

I'm proud of my kid - oh - young adult!

Proud of my kid Part II

As a post script to my previous post. Thirty one kids came to the first meeting of the anime club! My daughter was very excited about the turn-out. Next week they will elect officers!