Son turning 18 in 3 weeks any advice

Once he finishes school he should start paying you a nominal amount for room and board.  Some parents opt to keep this money in a special account and give it back to their son or daughter at a special occasion (such as when they move into their first apartment, for college "mad money", or keep it in an interest bearing account even longer and give it to them as part of a wedding gift/baby gift...)

Also, if he's not doing it now he should be responsible for his own laundry, and frankly I think all boys should help cleaning up the kitchen after meals at least sometimes - his future wife will thank you.  I have known too many "mamas boys" who think nothing of leaving their dirty dishes laying around for the womenfolk to clean up.  LOL

But that's just my opinion...

I would either have a talk or do a video presentation or scrap book presentation of your son's life. Don't make it to long or too mushy. Include things like some of strong points and failures including lessons in life that he has mastered and yet to encounter.

Finish with your hopes for his success's in the future and polish it off with your acknowledgement of his understanding of the lessons you taught him growing up.

That is all that you can do. We all hope to teach and even more so we hope they will learn. In the end the product of who they will become is out of our hands.

My son turns 17 on Wed.  I can't believe it either.  As far as responsiblilites go though, it is just a number.  They are still basically children in men's bodies.  I would say that the rules stay the same basically until he graduates and then re-evaluate from there.  Funny how they want to be the adult when convenient but don't want all the real responsibilities that go with it.

I am fairly young and not 5 years ago was in the same shoes as him. I think productivity is one of the big ones that needs to be addressed because you don't want a couch potato on your hands once he graduates. For me, I had a passion and drive to get things done and do something, but my little brother on the other hand has had a little bit tougher time with this one. He needs to focus on school and when that is completed he needs to out his plan into action for his future, be that more school or work.

When he is under your roof, he follows YOUR rules. Don't let him forget that!

Best of luck to you- I know it can be tough sometimes but just be firm with him and he will respect you for it (maybe not now but when he gets a little older!)

Kind Regards, Nicole Weidauer

The Egerer & Weidauer Team, Keller Williams Realty North Seattle

PRAY

Kathy, my daughter said the same thing to me two nights ago. She turned 18 in July. She told me she was a grown up and should be treated like one. She is very mature for her age and has never given us problems. I told her that age wasn't what counted! Life stages counted and she was still in school and we have rules for people when they are still in school. I did let her know that I did think she was very responsible but we still go by the rules. I have a 16 year old boy who is watching our every move:).

Kathy, my son is AD/HD and turned 18 in Sept. We did not really change the rules just because he is 18. He still lives in our house and we still pay all the bills and he is still in high school. The only lessening was that he has a bit more freedom to hang out with friends but I still want to know whom and when he will be home. We are working even harder on orginazation so that his senior year is good and he graduates...feel free to email me or call anytime, I understand your feelings totally! Hugs and blessings~