BOD E11. Some Other Beginning’s End. Better Off Dad with Paul and Steve

Every dad's goal is to raise a safe, healthy, happy, independent kid. But what happens when you get there? Steve has questions and Paul has answers. Paul has two kids over the 18 mark and Steve is about to have his first cross that magical, arbitrary age. So, what do you do? How do you handle it?

1. Each kid is different, so you have to tailor the rules to that kid's needs

2. General rule for while they are still in the house: you are the landlord and they are the tenant. Rent may not be money but it may be pulling their own weight. Adhering to a curfew may be just respecting the other tenants. Use your imagination.

3. The circle of "outside the house" has been growing since they first had an overnight. When they turn 18, it just takes another wide step. They've been preparing for this and you've been preparing for this.

This week's book suggestion:

Get Out of My Life, but First Could You Drive Me & Cheryl to the Mall: A Parent's Guide to the New Teenager by Anthony E. Wolf