Oh lord! What happened to my clean, peaceful, loving home? Tension on the home front is palatable. With both daughters home for an extended period of time, the walls are beginning to close in on me. Is it possible that I got use to the space so quickly?
As I examine the root of the problem, I’ve come to a very simple conclusion. Kids who leave home for the first time get use to their independence. They think that all this “wisdom” acquired in the FOUR months they’ve been gone, entitles them to come and go as they please, not help out around the house, and look at the parent units as aliens from somewhere unknown to humankind. Geez, would it be that painful to at least pretend that life is pretty darned sweet around here?
She was doing so well too. She was communicating openly and expertly. Our phone conversations, texts and emails felt meaningful. There was no second-guessing or reading between the lines. She shared her dreams, goals and what was going on in her life and we loved it. What happened? It may be possible that we are better with each other when we are not living together and that is a painful possibility. It makes me sad. I hope it’s not the case.
And then there are those fleeting moments of sanity, a smile perhaps, or sitting down and watching a movie with us. These moments I silently thank my lucky stars that underneath the angst she still connects with us.
Here is what I think will happen because we are not the first family to go through this transition. As she matures she will actually want to come and spend time with us. Our conversations will be meaningful. There will be sweetness in her disposition as she openly recognizes the blessings around her. She may even see beyond her own needs and say, “oh, can I help with that”? Better yet, she will just do without asking. I know this to be true. I did it. My husband did it. My oldest daughter is doing it.
So, the youngest will get on board too. That is if we don’t lose it and tear into each other in the meantime. I’m waiting.
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