Let the learning begin . . .

In a recent blog, I talked about some of those things parents tell their kids when they're growing up. Once the kids finally sprout their wings and moved out the real learning begins. 

During the fall of 2013, both of my sons moved out on their own. One got married, and the other one rented a townhouse close to his work. They were big steps for both boys, and I think they were pretty well prepared for the whole process of living on their own, but there was one thing we just couldn't detail enough because it was based on personal choices. 

What was that? The cost of living on your own. Of course, my life expenses have gone down quite a bit, but the boys have had a real eye opening experience. They had been paying for gas for their cars, some clothing and some preferred foods, but the shock at the other expenses has been a big surprise.

You can try to educate them as much as you can, but some things are learned in the trenches of life, and what a revelation it has been. Rent, water, electric, groceries, cable and all of the expenses that mom and dad paid without any announcements suddenly become an eye-opening reality.

I do remember those days, and I have a lot of compassion for them, but this stage of life is something they've got to learn on their own. It's all about how to budget their priorities. It's a battle between what's important and what's unnecessary. What was once thought to be the necessities of life are suddenly luxuries. 

Life is full of choices. We learn how to make decisions in the safety and comfort of our parent's homes. Hopefully, in the midst of those formative years, we learn how to prioritize and economize our life goals and plans.

Of course, many of us who have launched our little birds keep the nest available in the event that major life hiccups happen. It's rewarding to watch the the kids navigate their paths. Along the way, they learn that mom and dad really did a lot for them, and much of it was never known. Good luck boys, we'll leave the safety net up just in case.