02-14-2016, 06:54 AM
"She's 18, not 21, so you'll need to lay down the law about your expectations for partying behavior and curfew adherence."
Very true. However, since she is 18, it is your choice. You can set up ground rules and expectations, and if it becomes a major problem, she is gone.
Before she is 18, she has rights as a minor. After she is 18, she has privileges and responsibilities. Period.
My step-son had some serious issues with following my ground-rules. When he hit 18, I made it perfectly clear that with his poor attitude, all he had was my good graces. If he was unhappy, he had the right to leave whenever he wanted. However, I was never obligated to do a thing for him either. You put nothing into the family, why should expect to get anything from us? He moved out.
It really sounds like she wants and needs your love and guidance. That bodes well. I really think she respects your family, from the sound of it. That's a GREAT place to start.
Very true. However, since she is 18, it is your choice. You can set up ground rules and expectations, and if it becomes a major problem, she is gone.
Before she is 18, she has rights as a minor. After she is 18, she has privileges and responsibilities. Period.
My step-son had some serious issues with following my ground-rules. When he hit 18, I made it perfectly clear that with his poor attitude, all he had was my good graces. If he was unhappy, he had the right to leave whenever he wanted. However, I was never obligated to do a thing for him either. You put nothing into the family, why should expect to get anything from us? He moved out.
It really sounds like she wants and needs your love and guidance. That bodes well. I really think she respects your family, from the sound of it. That's a GREAT place to start.