Off into the Real World

When we got our invisible fence for my dog, Ollie, it was exciting. No longer did I have to walk out in the freezing cold Minnesota winter shivering in my boots as he noses the ground finding the perfect place to poop. But an invisible fence is never fool proof. You can show your dog not to go out of yard, that there will be negative consequences, a painful shock. Even so, when you open the door to let him out the first time you never know if your training actually worked and he will in fact be smart enough to stay in the yard. 

A few years ago I had a revelation. Before my older brother, who was born 2 and a half years before me, my parents had never been parents and when I was born on that lovely spring afternoon, at a convenient 1:24 in the afternoon, I would be the first and only girl my parents ever raised. As I grew up and found my way in life my parents also were trying to figure out how to guide my brother and me to a successful life. It was a weird revelation to make.  Growing up you always think your parents know everything but in reality they are trying to learn how to be parents and you are trying to make your way in the world (well by now I feel like the Duggars are past the point of learning, after the 19^th kid you probably have an idea on how you are going to raise your kids…). Now, as my parents drop me off at college, they can only hope they raised me well, that they could teach me from their mistakes, instill good values and leave me with the study skills to succeed in school. They have even less certainty that I will stay in the yard, on the right track, then I had with Ollie. I get my final lectures but after they help me move and get settled into my room they aren’t staying, they are getting back in the car and driving home. I will be on my own, independent for the first time in my life. I am not too concerned about this, I think I have been taught well and will be just fine. But there is a cloud of uncertainty around going out by yourself and being on your own, one night of mistakes could completely change your life. And when you make a mistake you don’t have your parents to help fix it. Because I have never had to deal with living by myself I feel like going to college will be even more beneficial for me, you are around other people who are in the same situation and there are people around to help you, it’s a good transition period so after college I’ll be ready, at least mentally to live on my own, we’ll see if my wallet agrees.

As I am off on this next adventure I hope I am prepared, am excited for all the new things I learn,  and ready to be independent. We will see if my parents trained me well so I’ll listen, otherwise I will just have to re learn it through trial and error. Hopefully the shock won’t be too painful!