I think..

I think it's my job as my boy's Mom to ensure that they have some basic survival skills when they leave home. Now if only I can get them to listen to all my Yoda-ness, I'll have totally bagged it. Yeah - wishful thinking. But DAMMIT I'm trying!

I think when I left home at 18 I was totally unprepared for life on my own. My Mom thought she was doing me a favor by 'taking care of me' so well. Umm... I lived on Minute Rice mixed with Cheez Whiz for months. And ketchup. Ketchup's a vegetable.. She loved me 'too' much... I miss her. :-(

I think it's entirely possible to raise kids with much (sometimes twisted... okay LOTS of twisted) humor, a respect for others, acceptance of differences, generosity of spirit and kindness of soul. I'm still working on the work ethic, cleanliness of space (that's a polite way of saying their rooms would be condemned if I didn't let my inner Badass out occasionally), and the 'love thy sibling' portions of Raising Children 101.

I think a little old-fashioned chivalry will never die. To open a door, take her coat, walk with a hand on the small of her back... that ROCKS. I don't care what anyone says. Being a gentleman is never out-dated.

I think we've done our kids a disservice by always putting them first. We've managed to create an entire population of young adults who feel the world owes them something. I'm not sure why a generation of women fell into that trap.. Fortunately I preceded the whole trend, never feeling my kids SHOULD be put first all the time. I've had no problem taking 'me' time when I needed it, or denying them something because I just didn't 'feel like it'. It's good to be unpredictable like that.

I think getting older sucks. (just throwing that out there)

I think, despite all my claims to the contrary, I'm going to be an 'ugly cry' mess in 2 yrs when my eldest son graduates from highschool. I also think he's going to be mortified. Oh well..

I think by the time our youngest graduates in 3 yrs, my husband and I will have to contain our excitement. *cue crocodile tears* NOT that we love him any less, but hey - once you've survived the first bird leaving the nest... it's gotta get easier, right?! And we'll have that taste of empty nestness (yes, I make up my own words when I feel like it. You have been warned.) and will be looking forward to it!

I think... I'll write more later.