Sunday, August 21, 2005

The Parent Trap

I was not cut out to live with people. I can be the life of the party, and on occasion I enjoy meeting new peeps - but, generally, I just want to be left alone. I know I've alluded to it before, but seriously - lots and lots of alone time everyday. To the point where my romantic fantasy is to meet someone amazing that I want to share my life with....and have them live next door.

And I'm currently living with my parents. (STRRRRRIKE 1) As my dad and I fix up my place to get it ready to sell. (STRRRRRIKE 2 and 3 and let's make it an even 4, batter.)

I'm a quagmire. My father is helping me out immeasurably, and yet I'm annoyed on at least an hourly basis. Sometimes, I can tell I'm being a bitch as I'm saying something, but I can't bite back the words. I hate this, I really do.

So, some of it is me - and I readily acknowledge that - I'm 30 years old, and have lived on my own for 13 years. Moving back home, even for less than a month, is not going to be easy. But some of it definitely comes from my parents. Here's a little tip (or possibly a note to self, if I ever decide to have kids): whatever your kids are like at 27 - that's it. You're done. No amount of nagging, cajoling, lecturing, or other parental forms of browbeating are going to result in any character-building or breakthroughs on their part. Let. It. Go. And remember that you do not see your adult children the way other adults do: it was nearly amusing to be told this morning that I'm horrendously forgetful, disorganized, etc. Hmm...I managed to graduate from law school, I must be capable of doing something right.

Aargh. I'm booking my flight to California this week. I think it best for everyone's mental health.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm going to print this out and leave it where my parents can see it, with a big bunch of red ink and an arrow.. "THIS IS WHY I'M MOVING!!!" I don't know what it is about the walls of this house, but UGH!!

Anonymous said...

*hug*

Hang in there... the parental situation is always tough, but remember that it's only temporary. I think it's frustrating because we all want to have this idyllic relationship with our family, but more often than not, we can only take them in short, controlled doses. :)

Chai said...

i can't believe i studied at home.....for the bar exam....for two months.

craziness.

you think the age of no return is 27? Damn it, I have one more year. I thought it was 26. Can we make it 26? Please?

Roonie said...

This reminds me of a certain IM conversation I had with a certain someone a few days ago...;)

suitablegirl said...

at least you're aware enough to know when you're being obnoxious to him and kind enough to feel bad about it. you're a good kid, maisnon. :)

Anonymous said...

Try being an only child...

Heather said...

To the point where my romantic fantasy is to meet someone amazing that I want to share my life with....and have them live next door.

Wow, I thought I was the only person who had that feeling. I totally support this lifestyle choice.

maisnon said...

Of course the cut-off age can be 26! I actually think 25 would be more reasonable, but I was trying to give it a little leeway.

Maybe I'll write a book on parenting from the perspective of the adult child, i.e. ways in which not to annoy the crap out of your kid.

Talk about trying to make lemonade!