As soon as our college graduates throw their caps in the air this month and next, they will be throwing their clothes all over the house.
And leaving dishes in the sink and shoes in the hall. And borrowing the car and leaving the gas tank on empty and staying out late and scaring us half to death. And sleeping late on weekends and disappearing out the door with friends without so much as a look behind.
One of the realities of this economy is that our children will have a really tough time finding a job after college and, if they do, it isn't likely to pay them enough to allow them to live the life they have been accustomed to.
Taxes and health insurance payments can sure put a cramp in your going-out style. And the kids never knew what air conditioning, wireless Internet access and DirecTV cost - let alone groceries - because it was us picking up the tab.
My friend Betsy is looking at a full house for the first time in six years. Her oldest son is living at home after college and her twins graduate this spring.
"I can't believe I will be back to cooking for five every night," she said.
My friend Linda's son moved home for three months while his place was renovated. "And it was two months, 29 days and 20 hours too long," she said.
My own daughter has a job, but she is living with us because she'd have to have 14 roommates if she moved out.
Student loans don't leave a lot left over for rent.
There are parents out there who have had children return home under difficult circumstances - divorce or job loss. And there are parents whose children refuse to work or go to school while living at home.
Those can be really tough family situations, they don't have easy answers and they can require professional intervention.
That's not what I am talking about.
I am talking about our pampered children who think that since we didn't charge them rent when they were 14, it isn't fair to charge them rent at 22.
I'm talking about children who are still putting their names on the food in the fridge - just like they did in college - so we don't eat it.
I am talking about adult, gainfully employed children who want gas money before agreeing to do errands.
If you are thinking right now that you ought to send me an e-mail about what a lousy parent I am, save yourself the trouble. It is too late to undo all the indulging I have done over the years.
