Times Have Changed

In the good ol' days many young adults went out and got jobs at the age of 14 and were driving cars years before that out on the farm. Many never finished high school as they were working on the farms or got jobs working in the mines or construction or oil fields. I'm a rare breed being a third generation alumni from our local high school, and my kids will make four. I am however first generation to go to college, and God willing I will finally graduate this year after taking classes off and on for 20 years. I had my first job at 16, as well as my drivers license. I worked two jobs my junior and senior year and moved out when I was 18. I'm now raising teenagers, who are turning into young adults and things are different. They finally got their driving permit at 16. Will get their actual license at 17 and 18. Neither have had a job as I wanted them to focus on their schooling and with learning disabilities the work has been a little harder. One is planning on trade school for culinary to open a restaurant and the other plans to be a chiropractor or a teacher. The next child in line I will be lucky if she graduates High School and she has no plans for college. One is in no hurry to leave the nest, one is planning her move out on the day she turns 18 (wants to go live with the other parent), and the third well we shall see. Kids aren't leaving home as early as they used to and many are returning (hello boomerang generation). I'm in no hurry to send my kids off into this crazy world. I want them well prepared so that they don't keep coming back. I want them to be Godly and productive members in society and if that takes them a little longer I'm okay with that. Their brains aren't fully developed until their mid 20s anyway. They've moved up the age of smoking cigarettes and drinking so that both are now 21, but you can still join the military at 18. High School Diploma and GED used to be enough, now an Associate's doesn't get you hardly anything. Many jobs are looking for a Bachelor's or Master's Degree, though many don't care really what it's in. I'm thankful I've learned many of the tips and tricks of how to apply for college and financial aid so that I can support my kids that do want to continue their education. Life is different than it was when I was their age. Cell phones and the development of technology play a pivotal role in that. And it will be muchly different when my younger three fly out of the nest in the next 10-15 years. My kids were blessed to have their grandparents around as they have grown up, and I pray I have the same opportunity. I remember vividly the time I spent with my grandma on my mother's side and my grandparents on my dad's side. My love for family was so strong even now as an adult that my husband left active duty military service and we moved back to my "home" so that I could have support raising these crazy kids and I don't regret it at all. They are getting to see and know love above and beyond just in our crazy blended house.