response 1 of 23:

Jul 21 06:24 UTC 1996

My parents were generally pretty good about that.  They didn't always leave
me alone when I wanted them to, but that was probably a good thing.  For the
most part, they tended to let me do what I wanted to do, unless there was a
good reason not to.  That doesn't mean we always got along, but then again
I'm not convinced that any group of people living together for several years
can always get along.  Now that I'm not living with them anymore, I really
feel like I have enough space, and I think we get along a lot better than we
ever did when I was living with them.

response 3 of 23:

Jul 23 06:31 UTC 1996

They're pretty good about space in the house... my room is a pigsty and nobody
cares...  the problem is that they won't let me out.  There's always something
I could be doing in the house.  The last time I went anywhere outside of the
house was a couple of days ago when I went out to get them some Dairy Queen.
But they have a real problem with noise..  in my house there is always someone
sleeping.  My mother works nights, my father does the normal eight to five,
and my sister and I don't understand the concept of bedtime.  I haven't
listened to music without headphones since I can't remember when.  But there's
also always someone awake in the house, 24 hours a day.  My father is
convinced that no one will ever break into our house, we've already frustrated
all of the burglars.  We don't go to bed!!

response 5 of 23:

Jul 29 06:20 UTC 1996

Anyone in the mood for a long message about this stuff? read 4, then look for
mine. (cybergod)

--Adam (cybergod)

response 7 of 23:

Jan 8 05:43 UTC 1997

I think I understand what you're talking about, although I've gotten a lot
more of that sort of thing from teachers than parents.  I remember one
teacher, in particular, who went on and on about the importance of always
being early, and never leaving until the bell rang even if the class didn't
take the whole period.  Her explanation was that when we grew up and got jobs
in the "real world," we would have employers who would insist that we never
leave early, even if we were done with absolutely everything that needed to
be done.  I guess I don't work in the real world now, or something.  If
everything that needs to be done is done, I'm free to go off and do other
stuff, while if lots of stuff needs to be done I generally stick around, often
after other people have left, to work on it.  Somehow, that sort of situation
doesn't exist, according to that teacher I had.

response 9 of 23:

Jun 5 06:28 UTC 1999

(I had quite a bit of "personal space" while I lived with my parents. I
wasn't neglected at all. in fact, part of the reason that I eventually
moved out the first time was because they cared too much, and I needed
to be able to make the mistakes that I wanted to make. the second time I
moved out was out of respect: I didn't want to live by their rules, but
I saw the need for the rules, so I left to avoid perpetuating conflict.
all in all, I feel as if I have a great relationship with my parents.)

response 11 of 23:

Jun 9 02:36 UTC 1999

I agree, on both counts.  Kinda like the new mom who freaks because
her kid gets a skinned knee.  From my mother I got a very pragmatic
approach to a lot of things. <grins> "Skinned your knee hmmm?  Next
time you'll be more careful, right?" "Yes, Mama."

I love my parents, they're really cool, and I never really went through
the teen rebellion things where I had battles with them.  I feel like if
I had to I could move home and be okay, but I'd rather have them be proud
of me and make it on my own.

response 13 of 23:

Jun 10 13:11 UTC 1999

<laughs> Must be something to that, I'm #4 (older sis, then twins- boys
then me).

response 15 of 23:

Jun 11 12:35 UTC 1999

Fraternal, thank goodness!  They really look nothing alike.

response 17 of 23:

Jun 12 03:34 UTC 1999

(I am seeing a bit of the "later child doesn't need as much care" syndrome
that abc mentioned. I "survived", so Ashton doesn't have to keep his
room clean, and Jessica doesn't have to wash dishes, etc. on one hand, I'm
glad my parents developed a sense of perspective. on the other, I think
they're erring way too far on the side of laissez-faire.)

response 19 of 23:

Jun 16 01:05 UTC 1999

(yeah, but sometimes I think they're not realizing when they haven't
made a mistake.)

response 21 of 23:

Jun 20 01:12 UTC 1999

(chances are that dad didn't go through labor either.) ;)

response 23 of 23:

Jun 21 00:19 UTC 1999

(good question. my kneejerk reaction was to say "age", but that's not
necessarily true. it isn't always a blood line, either, because that would
exclude adoptive parents and include deadbeat dads [and moms].)

(I guess I'd say that the parents are the ones who assume the
responsibility of raising a child, including the costs associated with
that raising, economic and social.)

(any parents want to chime in?) :)