08/20/2026
For the sake of the future, this must be said: there is a difference between RAISING a child, and getting them to survive til they're an adult. Keeping your child alive, fed, and safe and doing the bare minimum requirements is one thing. But PREPARING them for the world is something else. Just because they turn 18 doesn't mean they're ready to be thrust out into the world and that you're free. It's not about YOU (the parent) but so often we make it about us. It's not about your freedom, your money being saved, your house to yourself, etc. It's about, did you PREPARE your child for the world without you? Did you prepare them for life without you? Can they take care of themselves? Are they proficient in reading and writing? Do they know how to manage/handle money? Did you instill morals/values into them or do they have an ethic code they live by at the least? Did YOU RAISE them? It's not their teacher's responsibility to make sure they are educated. It is not their future boss/supervisor's responsibility to teach them accountability and respect. It is not the internet's responsibility to teach them about s3x. If your child is not prepared for any of these things when they turn 18, then they are not ready to leave the nest no matter how anxious you may be. You get 18 years to get that s*t right in one form or another. 17 is not crunch time to start shifting blame and getting mad/frustrated with them because you didn't do your part and don't want to look into the mirror, but guess what. Your child is your mirror. If you don't like what you see, either in yourself or in them, work on it together before the world has its ruthless way with your child.