Okay, so I’ve been seeing this phrase “the new age of endless parenting” pop up everywhere lately, and it got me thinking about my own situation.
I have a 25-year-old daughter. She’s a good kid, really, but she’s still living at home. I love her to bits, but this whole “endless parenting” thing? Yeah, I’m starting to feel it.
First, I started looking into it, like what’s the deal with this “endless parenting” idea anyway? Turns out, it’s a whole thing. I saw this survey from somewhere called Harris poll – whatever that is – that said something like 45% of young adults are living with their parents these days. 45%! That’s almost half! No wonder it’s become the norm now.
Then I started thinking, “Okay, how do I deal with this?”. I mean, I’m not getting any younger, and I do want some freedom eventually, right?
So, I started setting some boundaries. Nothing crazy, just some basic stuff.
- For example, I started being more mindful of my finances. I’m not her personal bank, you know? She needs to manage her own money. So, I gave her a clothing budget. I told her, “This is what you get each month for clothes. Spend it wisely.”
- Also, no more coming and going as she pleases. I need my space, too. She needs to respect that. And I started being more strict about the house rules, like who does what chores.
- Oh, and the phone thing at night? That’s a big one. I told her, “No phones after midnight.” It’s for her own good, really. She needs to sleep!
Then I tried to talk to her about it. I didn’t want to just spring these changes on her. But let’s be real, it’s not easy. It’s not like she’s jumping for joy about these new rules. But I held my ground. It’s important to remember that it’s okay for her to not like my boundaries. That’s part of growing up, I guess.
It’s a process, for sure. I’m still figuring this whole “endless parenting” thing out. I came across this person named Fingerman, who studies this kind of stuff, and even that was not much helpful. But I’m learning as I go. It’s all about finding that balance, right? Between supporting your kids and taking care of yourself.
Finally, I realized I need to embrace technology more. I know, I know, I’m not the most tech-savvy person, but it seems like it’s here to stay. So, I’m trying to learn how to use these new apps and gadgets that the young people are using. It’s a struggle, but I’m trying!
In the end,
I’m starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I’m not saying it’s going to be easy, but I’m hopeful. It’s a new age, and we all just gotta adapt, I guess.
