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I'm not old enough to have a child live on there own!

By Jeff Thornton

Real Estate Broker/Owner with Jeff Thornton ABR CRB CRS CSP e-Pro GRI

August 01, 2008 01:17 AM

Today my daughter moves into her first apartment. She is going to be starting her 2^nd year at Michigan State and is now going to live just off campus. She is only going to be 12 miles form our home so it's not like I'm not going to see her but I'm still kind of bummed. Her lease is for a year so she will be there next summer as well and then probably into her nexst apartment or she will stay there. She is probably never really going to be living at home again

When she left last fall to move into her dorm room it bothered me a little but I knew she would be back home. Now it seems like it's the next step. She might be home for spot stays but I know it won't be for very long. We are pretty close and do a lot of things together but I guess it's a new era. She is extatic about having her own place and no classes for a month and I am happy for her but I don't know that I am ready to be old enough to have a child on their own.

It's all part of life and something that is all good but today will be a mixed day for me.

Jeff Thornton

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Leander McClain

North East, MD

Cecil & Harford County Realtor

Jeff,

Hold on brother. It will all be ok. I can say that because I have not yet reached the place where you are. My baby girl is 14 and will be a freshman in high school this year. But very soon...she will be off to college and I too will have the same bummed feelings. But think on the bright side, you have raised a sucessful young lady who is intelligent, independent and wise. That should make you smile.....even if she won't be hanging around your house too much.

Have a great weekend

Leander McClain, Real Estate Consultant

Aug 01, 2008 06:33 AM

Mike Bowler Sr.

Coldwell Banker Hubbell Briarwood - Lansing, MI

CRB, GRI, ePRO, RECS, SRES

Hey Jeff, When they are little they step on your toes, and when the grow up they step on your heart! Knowing you, you'll have that lunch now and then, drop her a call, or send that special note that will help build that special father, daughter bond, that will never go away. Go Spartans!

Mike Bowler Sr. ePRO, CRB, GRI, SRES
Coldwell Banker Hubbell Briarwood
1020 S. Creyts Road, Lansing, MI 48917
Phone: 517-492-3400 Fax: 888-832-6203
email: Mike@MikeBowler.com

Website for Agents: http://mikebowler.net

Aug 01, 2008 07:20 AM

Jeff Thornton ABR CRB CRS CSP e-Pro GRI - Lansing, MI

ABR CRB CRS CSP e-Pro GRI

Leander

She is a great kid young adult and I am sure we will still spend time together it's just wierd getting to this stage

Aug 01, 2008 09:44 AM

Mike

She did already invite me to tailgate with her and her friends before the football games. I will probably regret it as I might be shocked

Aug 01, 2008 09:45 AM

Sue Berger

Gladwin, MI

Gladwin MI

Jeff~ It's even more weird when they tell you they're going to be married and a couple of years later your a grandpa. Actually that is a great time to look forward to. When they first leave home your right it is tough. She'll stay close, as the old saying goes "A son is a son until he takes a wife, a daughter is a daughter for the rest of her life."

Aug 03, 2008 02:38 PM

Sue please don't start using that "G" word yet. At least not until she's finished college. I am definitely not ready for that yet

Aug 03, 2008 11:45 PM

* Rate A Home

Rate A Home - Saugatuck, MI

Jeff, I know what you are going through. My daughter went to the University of Central Florida (took here down there when she was 17 and my son went to Central Michigan, so they were both a good distance away. They figure it out and grow from the experience. Hang in there Dad!

Aug 06, 2008 12:22 AM

Daniel J. Brudnok, REALTOR

Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Fox & Roach, REALTORS - Exton - PA License #RS-225179-L / Delaware License #RS-0025038 - Downingtown, PA

SRES, e-PRO,ABR,GREEN,CSP

Good luck with that......a great time in our lives......the next step, can you buy me a house....LOL, our daughter did just that in her 2nd year of college.....we did, she paid rent w/3 friends....and it worked out just great. Actually saved each of them over $250.00/mo based on the college costs to live in their apartments.

Aug 08, 2008 02:52 AM

Anonymous

Lindsey Thornton

Don't worry dad we'll always hang out, even if you will be shocked at our tailgates.

Aug 10, 2008 01:47 PM

Duane I really can't complain my daughter is close by.

Aug 11, 2008 06:15 AM

Jeff, that's the nice part, has she started already?

Aug 11, 2008 06:17 AM

Dan

she is thrilled to be on her own and she will do quite well

Aug 11, 2008 06:18 AM

Linds I am looking forward to your tailgates. I'm not how I will feel afterwards but it will be fun

Aug 11, 2008 06:19 AM

Duane They start the 25th of August. She is so busy working 2 jobs she hasn't had much of a chance to much

Aug 11, 2008 06:20 AM

Jeff, it will be here before she knows it, will that make you empty nesters then?

Aug 11, 2008 06:37 AM

Duane

i still have a son at home. He will be a juniorin High School, so 2 more years before i am an empty nester

Aug 11, 2008 06:58 AM

Ann Dail

Baton Rouge Area Homes, Louisiana, USA, 225-761-0551 - Baton Rouge, LA

Broker/Realtor,CRS, ePRO, SRS, B.A.Chem

I guess it's a little different boys versus girls. I had 4 boys and was excited when they finally announced they would like to be on their own.

But don't be so sure this is permanent. :-) Off an on they drifted back for a while at times in their lives. One returned from the navy with messed up credit and no where to live. Another lost a job and we let him stay a couple of months to get back on his feet. Another son went thru a divorce and needed temporary quarters. Then I had one super achiever who got assigned to a FEMA contract in my town and it only seemed logical to have him back at home as he was saving money for his family with 2 & 3 year olds.

Dec 24, 2008 06:21 AM

I'm not old enough to have a child live on there own!

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