How old were you when you left home?
Although I went away to college at 18, I still had most of my stuff at my parents house and don't think I really "left home" until I got a job and moved out to my own apartment, fully supporting myself, which was at 22.
What was probably one of the biggest challenges that you had when living on your own? Juggling school and work? paying bills? room mates?
When I first lived on my own, none at all. It was great and I loved my independence. I was making good money and was able to pay the bills. I didn't have any challenges until I married an abusive jerk. Then things got tough.
How has the experience made you feel thus far? What would you change about it?
Well, since it's been 21 years since I graduated from college.. I'm feeling pretty good about it all. I wouldn't really change anything except some financial mistakes that I made while married to each of my ex-husbands. I will never again combine my finances with someone else and lose control of my own money.
What advice would you give to a parent faced with the prospect of a child that has to leave the nest?
I'll be facing this all too soon since I have a 14 year old daughter. I know how fast the next 4 years will go and then she will go away to college. I've already got things planned for myself once both my son (12) and daughter go away to school. I'd like to take a position of even more responsibility with Alpha Gamma Delta at that time, when I am less tied down and can devote more time to it. I also plan to travel a lot more.
Under what circumstances would you let your child return home or you would give them help?
If they are really trying to make it on their own and not acting irresponsibly, I will help them stay on their feet. Should one of my kids need help getting out of an abusive marriage or something like that, I would definitely help. I don't know that "help" would be in the way of having either child move in. I think that if they return home after college, they need to pay rent. They aren't going to freeload 
Which do you think is harder to cope with: a daughter learning to live on her own or a son facing the same thing?
While I will miss my daughter a lot, because she and I are really close and enjoy each other's company a lot, I know that she will be successful at whatever she puts her mind to. She is very self motivated and goal directed. She is also very responsible. In fact, my son, while not quite as self motivated, he is pretty independent and likes to learn how to do things to take care of himself, like cook. I think both of my kids will be fine. I've been trying very hard to raise independent and responsible children who have good morals and values and I think they're doing pretty good so far. The only concern about my son is that he can be quite unmotivated for "boring" tasks, so his place is likely to be a pig sty! I think, by then, he'll willingly take showers without me having to yell at him about it. In fact, I'm hoping that comes when he starts getting really interested in girls!