2014-05-14

Failure To Launch: Motivating Young Adults

I knew raising a teenager wasn’t going to be easy. I tipped a dinosaur or two in my rebellious hayday. What I wasn’t prepared for was raising an adult. Well, an 18 year old anyway, who still needs raising.

The handbook on raising ADHD/ODD adults (adults in-age anyway) should be called "50 Shades of Nay." The Netflix-only series would be "Orange Is The New No Freaking Way."

We’ve taken to family counseling after drinking heavily didn’t magically clear up all the stress-induced acne. My acne, I mean. My teen’s skin is as clear as tumbler of vodka and angel’s tears. Our counselor made an analogy to different types of young adults, and I like it.

He said there are young adults that are Launched and In Orbit. They know they’re path, they’re following goals, they’re on their way.
Some are Launched, but Not Yet In Orbit. They have some idea, they’re doing things,  learning from mistakes, trying.
Then there are young adults who are Not Launched, Not In Orbit. They don’t know their path, they’re not sure what to do, or particularly seem to care where to go, or how to get there.

I call my son’s first semester after high school Houston: We Have A Problem. Instead of reporting to the launch pad, he was at the bar with the astronauts of the 60’s, having a high ball to calm the nerves.

Today I’m at Menopausal Mother’s blog to talk about how I deal with this unique individual approaching adulthood. Check it out, click below:
http://www.menopausalmom.com/2014/05/wacky-wednesday-writers-guest-post-by_14.html

Find out what THIS has to do with it, unless you remember this moment from my Facebook page.

14 comments:

  1. Sounds like an interesting time in your home. My home is similar only I'm at the opposite end of the age scale. My 2 year old is very bossy and demanding. She says a lot of NO and frequently barks out orders then melts down when they aren't taken seriously. She will soon learn but in the mean time I feel like I'm in the twilight zone. Hope things get better for you.

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    1. 2 yr olds are mini teenagers, not sure if it's better or worse that we don't know what they're trying to say most of the time! The interesting thing about Comfytown is we ALSO have a 4 yr old, and a 2 yr old. And because I apparently adore kid stress, I watch extra kids here. Yes, I may need pharmaceutical help at some point.

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  2. It looks like you have a sense of humor about it--and I think that's important. My husband drops all of his clothes on his side of the bed...then wonders why it doesn't get washed. I refuse to go back there and get it...when he runs out of underwear, he suddenly remembers where the hamper is. I know that's a much milder version of what you're dealing with!

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    1. hahaha you're about the 14th person to mention how they need to do these kinds of things w/their husbands. Same rules apply if you ask me. Like I told my friend Carol: TOUGH LOVE, Sister. They'll figure it out, don't do it for them.

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  3. I went to menopausal... but it kept losing my comment...and let me tell you I had two really great ones! ( thats just getting me off the hook in case this one sucks!) ... no really, I think you know about my escapades with the dirty dishes in the bed for a week... it really did work but it took a few days is all... well three before he even got the dishes out of his bed... argh...sooooo gross! I love the failure to launch analogy I may need to use that in my practice!

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    1. I HATE when I type out a HUGE comment and it disappears, that happens on my phone at LEAST 3-4 times a week. It is maddening! I was thinking you and the dishes! I thought about adding that and quoting you, but my original post was SO LONG I had to cut way back. This whole section became a separate post here, I left out a section, and I editted down some of my ramblings. Man, I can go on and on and on and on and on....
      It's a great analogy, it might be an old well-known analogy for all I know, but it's perfect. Well, except I had to add that 4th one about the drunkard astronauts, THEN it was perfect. Thanks for reading, I appreciate it!

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  4. Going now! And yeah, my step-daughter is in the Houston we have a BIGEFFINGPROBLEM stage. She's 20. Sigh.

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  5. Gotta head over to Menopausal Momma know to read your word of utter wisdom! I bet I will see some of myself in this back when I was a teen!

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    1. I mean if you always got along well with your parents when youre a teen, one of you is probably doing something wrong.

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  6. After reading this post on meno mama's blog, I had to come over check out Comfy Chronicles and I gotta say, you've got yourself a new fan! Love your honesty and your sense of humour. :)

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    1. Thank you! Always nice to have someone relate, or at least appreciate the honesty! I'll probably never be a big blogger, but I would rather have a few friends that understand and appreciate my struggle. And the weirdness :)

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  7. Great post...I like your blog.^^
    Maybe follow each other on bloglovin?
    Let me know follow you then back.
    Lovely greets Nessa

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