Mickey,

I agree with everything people have advised you. Maybe just tell them you are grateful for what they have done. I think the transition from childhood to an adult is difficult for all. As a mother, sometimes I feel guilty that I can't help my children more. For instance, I can't provide much money to help them (fund there college education, provide a deposit for an apartment, etc). And as you know, I have my own struggles with MI which surely effected their lives significantly. There is a big debate between my H and I concerning just how much help is truly helpful while your kids are growing up (teens and 20s). On the one hand, people need the opportunity to fail. My son faced many struggles when he went out West and lived in his car but he says he learned from the experience. On the other hand, my dad paid for my tuition and board when I was in school and that surely enabled me to complete a four year degree in four years. Many young adults who get their education all on there own, need longer to obtain their degrees. What I am saying here is that it is hard to know what would be the best way to help our children sometimes. Please don't feel bad that they are worried about you. I worry about mine--Is this what every parent does? Perhaps. Many other parents at PC do. I bet you brought much joy into their lives too.

Growing up was not always pretty. Now that I am in my 50's, I tend to focus on the good memories, but in reality there was trauma as well but I survived. You will too. You are just beginning the transition. I know it is scary but just keep trying. Sometimes you will fail. When it doesn't kill us , sometimes failure helps us grow. The only way forward is just to keep on trying. Whether it is trying a job, apprenticeship, or studying at a university, make some sort of plan and work toward it. Even if you fail, if you truly tried and worked toward the goal, I think you will grow in self confidence. Life is about the journey. I am proud of every job I have tried. I am proud of going to college. I am proud of joining the military. I am proud of the goals my H and I accomplished after marrying. I am proud of the effort I put into raising my children. Not all the outcomes were good. There was a job I was fired from. Not all my grades in college were good. There are many other bad things besides this. That is life but I think working towards goals helps us feel better about ourselves in the end. Through trial and error, maybe you will figure it out.

Lastly, I know you are leaning or have decided to attend a university. I have great memories from my time attending a university. Of course, it was not that way every single day--there was also just the routine of going to class and studying but I also enjoyed the fitness facilities, parties (sometimes), and activities with friends. I did not have a lot of close friends, but I did have some. They come along in college when you least expect it. They change you. They expose you to things, good and bad. It is one of the good things about attending a university!!