I Was A Kid Once Too

Let's just get to the good stuff, shall we? Alex's roommate is kicking her out. Why? Of all reasons, she thinks Alex is a bad influence. HA! Tis to laugh... HYSTARICALLY!!!! She is not a bad influence. She's simply being a teenager. It's time to try new things, experience life without restraint, be a kid!

So, that's the jist of the situation. Just so you know, Alex is not doing anything more than what a lot of us did as a kid. I have no major concerns at this time, and I've told Alex this. I've spent the past few days giving Alex some valuable information that she can appreciate now that she has this experience under her belt:

1. Don't tell everyone everything - people embelish when they repeat information to form an image of you that they want their listeners to see you as.


2. Keep things rated PG when conversing with family (except your mother, of course) - family is always the first to be concerned, overbearing, judgemental, and talkative to others.


3. Depend on yourself first - don't expect that others are going to do their part. Do your own part and let them worry about themselves.


4. Pay yourself first, then your bills, then ask Mom and Dad if you need more. I've told Alex to take $50 - $100 from each paycheck for herself. If you don't pay yourself first, then you often times end up using bill money for "wants" and then it's not their for your "needs".


5. Mommy and Daddy love you, no matter what. I reminded Alex that we are both very proud of her and she is always going to be our "baby".

We talked about her getting her own place in her own name with her own utility bills, etc. I told her that she has a pretty good grip on being responsible for herself and now it's time to add more to the list. I explained how she should start working on her credit and can do so by getting utilities and rent in her name. And how this will help her if she ever needs to get a credit card or a loan. I also explained how you need to treat credit cards as though they only are worth HALF of their total value. (IE: If you have a $1000 max, that card is really only worth $500 if you want to keep a good credit score.)

Life is tough. But, you know what? I'm happy that she's learning these things now rather than when she's 25. She's got a good head on her shoulders and a great support system. I offered to let her come home, but she's so much like me. She said that she needs her space to experience things without someone watching her every move and telling her what she's doing wrong. I can't blame her for that. That's sometimes the best way to learn life's lessons.

Is it bad that I'm not terrified and worried all the time? Or is it good to know that she's intelligent enough to ask for help and let me know when she's in over her head?

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