The discussion in the house last night was intense. At times it was angry shouting. My 19 year old daughter and her daddy don’t see eye to eye. Her daddy can’t believe she even asked the question and she can’t believe we said no.
That’s how far apart we are on this. More and more she isn’t seeing what we see. Disagreements, tension and rolling eyes are becoming the norm. She is finding her way in this world, working and paying for college. She feels like she should be able to make her own decisions even when we see it as foolish or dangerous.
She desperately wants to be out on her own but isn’t quite able to afford it. How do we make the most of the time we have left with her in our house? She feels misunderstood and stuck. We feel frustrated and under appreciated. We’re all at a loss at how to come together on this.
How do we find common ground when the divide is so vast?
One thing I know: we have to love one another. We have to do the hard thing and keep at it. We have to choose to let love rule instead of our emotions.
Love is the bridge. Love is the way we find common ground.
So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. John 13:34 NLT.
Daily Prompt: Crossing
mariegriffith.me 
Well said Marie. I’m so sorry it’s so hard sometimes!
Thanks Bruce.
I find that duct tape works quite well in solving all arguments. However, my wife doesn’t appreciate it when I strap it across the kids mouths… (btw, mine are 23 (married) and 20.. ahh, the joy of struggling between loving them out of the nest and just flat out booting them in the rear end to see if they can fly. (I jest, of course.. mostly)
Of course I’ve had similar thoughts. Some days I can hardly wait until my older ones fly (I have an 18 yr old son and another daughter that’s 13). Then the next day I’m sad at the thought. But mostly i want them to fly. Hmmmm……duct tape?
Duct tape.. it fixes so many problems…
Well said, your thoughts resonate with a lot of parents who feel exactly as how you feel but can not put it so well. I love your take and interpretation of ‘a house divided’
Thank you for your encouragement. We are having a good day today…..building the bridge.
Don’t worry, because even if she seems to shift away now, she will be back one day to rebuild the bridge. Maturity helps quite a lot. I recognize my younger self in your daughter…
Thank you. I needed to hear that. The last two days have been good…..we’re building the bridge.