[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by DaemonSeid

How old were you when you left home? 18 when I went to college.
What was probably one of the biggest challenges that you had when living on your own? Juggling school and work? paying bills? room mates?

I was too elated to feel challenged. Work and school were great experiences even when I fell short of being able to balance it all.

Plus, my family was always supportive and not too far away should tragic strike.

What advice would you give to a parent faced with the prospect of a child that has to leave the nest?

Prepare them for it and be there to support them along the way. Meanwhile tell them that they have to learn decision making and planning without always falling back on the family.

Parents who try to keep their kids at home after 18 are setting their offspring and the family up for a lifetime of co-dependency.

Under what circumstances would you let your child return home or you would give them help?

Give them help as long as they are being productive. A college or grad student who is broke for a reason and needs help with a couple of car notes is no biggie. Now, a lazy arse heathen child who is unproductive and is waiting for a handout will get the GAS FACE but then I'd also have to wonder what went wrong on my end.

They can return home for a short transition. Nothing longterm.

Which do you think is harder to cope with: a daughter learning to live on her own or a son facing the same thing?

It should be the same if you raise your children right and without that bullcrap gendered double standard of behavior and living.