Raising Maine

My wanderlust daughter has returned from her life changing (hopefully) 3 month trip to Europe. She turned 21 while she was there. Supposedly they become adults at 18 but anyone who has had a child that age knows that is not true. I'm not so sure 21 is either. At 21 I was married and living with my husband in our own apartment. Of course that was in the dark ages and is totally irrelevent to this conversation.

Now that she is an "adult" I think the rules need to change around here. I think she needs to stop laughing about the mess she makes everywhere. Of course this is hard for her as it is kind of a badge of honor for her. She was interviewed by a Norweigan Newspaper while at a hostel in Europe. It has something to do with her messiness but I am not sure as the article has not come out and it will be in Norweigan so I will have to get it translated.

She needs to help out around here if she isn't paying room and board. I told her this morning that she needed to help me out or she would start paying $50 a week. I think that is a good deal. If she had an apartment with someone the rent would be in the $500 range per person plus utilities. She has heat, hot water, electricity, phone, cable, internet and Showtime here. Free laundry too and oh ya, meals cooked for her! So I am expecting her to help me with the day care if needed, help with her 10 year old brother and do some community service. She has 3 part time jobs which will keep her very busy especially since 2 of them are in retail with the Holiday Shopping Season right around the corner. She went with me this morning to volunteer in her brother's classroom today. I am hoping she will drop in once in a while without me.

I am not sure on the drinking issue. I suppose if she wants a drink some evening I would rather she have it here then somewhere else and drive. Her father and I don't really drink, we don't keep alcohol in the house but will enjoy something socially. I have told her absolutely no smoking, legal or not on the property grounds.

She is not dating at the moment so the no overnight guests rule just sits there.

She got home Monday night and already has left articles of clothing around, half drunk glasses of crystal light and shoes everywhere. Most of her belongings are still in my car from the airport. One suitcase has made it into the house and sits in my dinning room half unpacked.

What about your house? Do you have adult children at home? Rules? Or what would you do if you had them living with you?