Is it unreasonable to expect my son to obey the law?
Drinking isn't legal until you turn 21. He thinks it's no big deal. And friends and family have supported his mindset by making comments like " Everyone does it" or " It's no big deal, I did it when I was a kid."
Well, I didn't. (At least not until I moved out on my own.) Doing what my parents expected and following the rules was what I did. Their opinion of me, meant everything to me. Still does.
This isn't the case with my son. "Because I said so" doesn't work. I only "say so" because I am a control freak. I am a control freak because I expect to know where they're going. I'm a control freak because I won't let him get his driver's license until he has a job (so he can pay for insurance and gas). I'm a control freak to expect good grades. I'm a control freak to expect them to pick up after themselves and have a tidy room. I'm a control freak to get upset when I find them drinking and smoking pot in my house.
As I write this, and I think about it, I guess maybe I am a control freak when it comes to these things. And you know what, it's not such a bad thing. So long as I am responsible for them, I can be. When they turn 18 and live in their own place, they can do as they please. Until then, and while they are under MY roof, I'll accept that I am controlling. I was so upset when he first called me this, but if that's the worst thing he can come up with, I guess I can accept it.
