Midnight Call

When the phone rings at midnight, you know it's not going to be good news. Never. That's one of the parenting rules. It takes effect the first time your child is away from home overnight--whether they're six or sixteen or twenty six.

And this rule is in effect for the rest of your life.

Some people think their parenting days will be over when their kids leave home. Not so. It's just a different set of responsibilities with new restrictions.

1) You can't fix anything. Very, very hard rule to follow. Your children are past the age when you can kiss it and make it better. No...pretty much the best you can do now is listen and pray. And hurt on their behalf.

2) You have to accept the fact that's all they want or expect from you because they're adults. They want someone to love them enough to let them work things out for themselves.

So when the phone rings at midnight, you listen. You say, "I love you." And when you both disconnect, you go to bed and worry and wish (just a little) that they were young enough for you to kiss them and make it better.

anny