Part Deux: "What's for dinner?"

So now that I'm back living with the folks, I'm paying extra close attention to my behavior patterns to see what develops. I remember coming home from college for the first couple of summers and it was quite the struggle maintaining a sense of independence that had become well ingrained and established as a result of journeying out of state for my college years, Go Pokes!, and returning to the way of life that I knew in high school. The kind of life that asked "what's for dinner?" every night and tossed my laundry downstairs when it started to pile up. I wanted my independence then, but also wanted mom to clean my clothes. I was confused on how those two things interlaced appropriately without it becoming a family ordeal. I know it was a struggle for them too. I think they realized quickly that a 2am bedtime was not unusual and being with friends as much and as often as possible was of utmost importance. I think then that they also struggled with wanting to maintain some sense of parental control.

I was worried, since basically I have been entirely self reliant and independent for the last 4 years, that we would settle back in to those roles established long ago and the struggle would continue. The good news is that we haven't. The relationship between me and my parents has been oddly healthy for a 25 (almost 26, uggh) year old mooching off the parents. I actually am enjoying it and I think they are too. I might never get a chance to really live with my parents again so I'm savoring it for the moment. I've changed in the sense that I no longer expect mom to do laundry and I typically fend for myself for meals and money. They've changed in the sense that instead of questioning me of my whereabouts after my multiple weekends in the mountains with friends, they simply ask "did you have fun?" and then rejoice in the good and cry with me through the bad. It's really a good thing. Plus they just bought me this fabulous new dress. I certainly cant complain about that.