gem, you're a gem! She hit it on the head, y'all. I remember my Dad saying, "whatever you do in your own home when you move out is your business, and I'll have nothing at all to say about it. But while you're living in my house, eating my food, wearing the clothes that I bought you, you'll do what I tell you to do!"

When i moved out, and had my own place, he never once said a word about how i conducted myself...unless i was visiting at his house.

Guess what? I tell my teenager the same thing.

We've all been trying to be the adult advisors helping out a youngster, and while i've seen some damn good advice, no one has put it all to the point quite like gem here.

Take a deep breath, HisandHisOnly, hold your chin up, and realize that you've got it easy right now.

You're taking for granted that your parents are investing A LOT of time, effort and dinero IN YOU! What a blessing that is! I cannot afford to send my kiddo to college. Your parents aparently can afford it (or are sacrificing A LOT to afford it), and are choosing to do this for you. What do they get in return? When your career is going well are you gonna start paying their way thru life like they've done for you for the last 19 years?? NO, and they wouldn't want that...so it must all be just for you!

Have you ever wondered how much money they've shelled out for you over the years? Ever been to the dentist? Did ya get braces? $4-6 grand right there. Ever break a bone? $1 grand, plus follow-ups. Did you buy your own car?? Did you graduate High School? Go to prom? Senior pix? Senior trip? All of these things cost your parents time, money, and sometimes their sanity.

Maybe you should be more appreciative of what they've done for you, and what they're still doing for you, because they're not doing it for anyone's benefit but yours!