When Dad has trouble letting go??

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-03-2004
When Dad has trouble letting go??
6
Wed, 11-07-2007 - 1:18pm

As DD's senior year progresses, she is becoming more independent and spends less and less time at home with her family.

Avatar for suzyk2118
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-30-1997
Wed, 11-07-2007 - 1:34pm

Not really a word of wisdom but I was in your dd's shoes back when I was in college (I'm also an only; for that matter I have an only by choice)

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-09-2000
Wed, 11-07-2007 - 2:46pm

OMG!!

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Wed, 11-07-2007 - 3:20pm

Dad is likely feeling powerless and as if he is losing control-therefore he will find it wherever he can.

The more positive ways you can make him feel in control, the more he will back off

Perhaps you need to involve him more in the decision making. It does sounds like you know what is happening before it happens and he finds out afterwards

If you had said "DD is taking off work so she can go to Edna's Halloween party-isnt that sweet-this is her last year to do that" well ahead of time, do you think he might have reacted more reasonably?

Right now you likely feel he would have forbidden it but.....you might want to try it and see what happens. Ask how many colleges he thinks she should apply to or if she should take her car with her when she goes. I know, we would prefer to make all those decisions because we are the mom and we are always right(and we tend to have educated ourselves while they know their childhood and nothing else)but its worth a try

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-13-2004
Wed, 11-07-2007 - 4:54pm

This seems to be quite common -

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-28-1999
Thu, 11-08-2007 - 11:15am

I can see this happening w/ DH & his senior DD (his only child).

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-03-2004
Thu, 11-08-2007 - 12:49pm
Thank you everyone for your responses.