Separation 101: The college freshman returns

(with a laundry list of behavior tips for parents and several loads of laundry)

Here are the rules: Do not speak to my friends. Prepare meals but do not expect me for dinner. Clean up my messes but do not harangue me about my laundry (or dirty cups or bowls, and no, I do not know how that empty bottle of wine got behind my bed!) Do not ask me to put away my laundry after you have washed and folded it. Do not make me feel unwelcome by expressing your exasperation/resentment at the extra work caused by my presence. You are the one who wanted children. I didn’t ask to be born. You raised me. It’s your fault if I’m selfish and demanding.

go to column