Good Intentions Gone Wrong (an amendment)

I just called Alex out of her room to have a little chat. I was wrong to jump to any conclusions about the evening. After talking with Alex, I learned that that is exactly what I did. I assumed that she was pissed off about the conversation pertaining to her dropping out of high school. As it turns out, I was the only one pissed off about it. Alex said that when people who don't know her start to criticize or comment on her choice, she doesn't let it bother her because those people's opinions don't matter to her anyway. Good for her! I, on the otherhand, took offense.

But since I had her on the couch and talking seriously, I broached the subject of her finding a J-O-B! I expressed to her that, when I was a kid and just out of school, I would have loved to take a year just to goof off. But, I continued, she has been out of school almost six months. And although I don't like to pressure her into anything, I really feel that it is time for her to put some serious effort into finding a job. I asked her to tell me what it was she wanted to do, because I can't help her out if I don't know what kind of job she wants. I was happy that she took this conversation seriously, and talked openly with me about it, as she usually does during our "mother-daughter" talks.

Alex says she doesn't want to work in an office, but would be fine doing retail. We discussed the fact that she gets ill a lot and how that might affect her job attendance. We also discussed how scary and/or frustrating it can be when you start a new job. I mean, it's a whole new ballgame. People tell you what to do, and some of them tell you the wrong way to do stuff. But, usually, you end up making some friends along the way too. Like everything in life, there is a pro side and a con side to having a job and working with people.

I'm glad that Alex isn't upset about the conversation she had at the play. I'm happy that my daughter is a strong person who knows when to give a crap about people's opinions and when to blow them off. I'm happy that my daughter is like me today, and not like me when I was her age. I love that girl, and I am a proud parent. LOL... Everyone tells me that if my worst problems with her is the fact that she doesn't work and doesn't want to drive, then I'm doing just fine! LOL. I have to agree.