Unsolicited Advice

Lately I’ve been giving Mr. 17 (mostly) unsolicited advice. He’s trying to sell his truck. He’s looking for another job. He’s sick and tired of our small town and wants the fastest ticket to anywhere. I have lots to say about these things. After all, I’m older, wiser, have been through these same things, but he wants nothing to do with my awesome advice.. Why wouldn’t my advice be heated with the utmost of attention? Why isn’t his ear permanently glued to my overflowing faunt of endless ideas, time savers, and appropriate email responses?

It just struck me that maybe, just maybe, he wants to act like an adult JUST AS MUCH or MORE SO, than I do. He wants to figure this stuff out on his own. His desire to be independent is THE BEST NEWS and right on cue for his development.

Oh.

All this push back is good?! He supposed to do that? This is helping him become an independent adult? Yes. Yes, it is. Oh, that’s what I want most for him!

Wait.

We want the same thing? Huh, hadn’t thought of that.

Just now I went to see how his job applications were coming along. I asked if he needed my help. He said no. I said, “Cool, I’m excited for you”.

(I’m actually excited for both of us because he’s trying to adult and I’m not interfering. It’s awesome to be on the same page.)