julietsierra -> RE: What would you do? (2/11/2008 7:03:28 PM)
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"Mom, I know you worry. The best I can tell you is that I make sure friends know where I am at all times. I make sure I can reach them. I would never embarrass you, and this is how I want to live my life. I love you very much and I'm doing everything I can - even more than I'd do if I were dating the men you may think I should be dating - to keep myself safe. I go to public places precisely because it IS public. I will introduce you to some friends of mine so that you can feel better about how they are very watchful over me as well. The functions I go to are in normal restaurants and coffee houses. We do things like talk about the week we had at work and school. I know you heard some frightening stuff on television, but mom, you heard some frightening car accidents as well and I'm still driving my car. I promise I'll keep you informed about where I'm going and with whom. I know I'm 19 and some people would say I'm old enough to make these kinds of decisions on my own, but mom, I love you and I don't want to see you hurt and I certainly don't want to see me hurt. I promise I'll be very careful. And when I meet someone that I end up dating for more than just dinner, I'll be sure to introduce him to you so that you can know I've made a good choice. Ok?" Mom's get scared. If she's 19 and living under her mother's roof, all the talk about how it's none of her mother's business is moot. Moms don't just give up on their children because they've reached the age of majority. They worry. And when moms find out about their childrens' proclivities, it really doesn't matter if their children are 19 or 49, they still worry. Leave the sexual end of things out of your conversation. Assure your mother - not just with words, but with introductions to mom-presentable friends so that she can know her baby is as safe as is possible. To many moms, the unknown is more frightening than the known...so move the unknown to the known by doing the things that adult children do to help their moms feel more comfortable when, through no actions on their part, they've been made aware of their childrens' activities. Introduce friends in average situations - I do it through invitations for a day out on the lake in the summer. My parents get to see that my friends aren't crazy people. They have liked nearly everyone I've introduced to them. Call home a lot to just talk - at least for a while. "Mom, I'm just leaving coffee, I'll be home in a minute." ... "Mom, I'm headed over to ____'s house...remember? you met him last week. Yes, there's a number of us that are going over there to visit." I'll call you when I leave.... or.. "I'll be home around ______>" (and then, don't be late.) It's an old song, but the lines "teach your parents well" comes to mind (Thanks Crosby Stills Nash and Young). When you're 19, you're just starting out in your adult life, and they're just learning how to be the parents of adults. Cut them some slack and don't get all huffy regarding their worries. Help them to understand that they really DID raise you right, and that you're respecting their concerns. And when they've gotten a bit over the conversation you might be having soon, ask them..."Mom...why in the world do you think that guy wanted to mess with our family like that so that you'd worry so much? I know he's been after some younger women, maybe he said that to you because somewhere along the line, I turned him down and he's angry. You raised your daughter right. I won't disappoint you." Oh yea...and like I said, if at ALL possible, unless you have a very open relationship with your mother, leave all the conversation about sex out of what you have to say. It's just easier that way. Just an opinion from a mom of kids just a tiny bit older than you. juliet
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