Yesterday I came home to find a note from our teenager. She moved out. This all started a couple of weeks ago when we sat her down and laid out some new rules. We have been unhappy with some of the choices she was making and wanted to let her know what the future consequences would be. After experiencing one consequence (losing her phone for a day), she decided that she couldn’t “take” it and moved out.

We haven’t talked to her, we don’t know where she is. We’re both a little angry that she just gave up, but there’s not a lot we can do. The only real authority we had in her life is what she allowed us. It’s a scary thing when a teenager can do whatever they darn well please. It’s just no fun being the bad guy all the time when all we’re trying to do is what’s best for her.

So anyway, today I’m feeling very thankful that my children are 1 and 3, I’m thinking of what we can do with our basement now that’s it’s not inhabited for the first time in over a year, and I’m going to go make myself some Starbucks with half and half and whipped cream.