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Space

We sleep in the same house each night but I'm pretty sure I've seen you for a total of 15 minutes in the past two weeks. If that.

I keep trying to figure out why. I understand not wanting to celebrate Christmas with us. I hate it, but I can understand it and I can get over it. But no shared meals ever? No texts or check ins ever? The only phone calls I get lately seem to start off with "First things first, lady," when you're getting ready to defend yourself for something I nagged you about over text.

I can't decide if this distance normal or if it is a coping mechanism, you pushing us away because you're afraid we are about to leave you anyways, or if you honestly just want to be done with us. How much do parents see their 18-year-old normally? Am I overreacting? I don't hear from you all day but you're home by curfew. Then it's a quick "hey" and straight up to your bedroom, door locked. Is that normal? Unfortunately you're at an age where if you keep it up, you're going to get the space, whether you deeply want it or not.

https://confessionsofanadoptiveparent.com/her-behavior-isnt-manipulation-its-survival/?fbclid=IwAR2eiEmFr0bk2HsQ0KfvGVry2Eg5k49fEozsk9R78MEtJi_gm8rjnwUx_yo

I want to protect you and support you but I can't if you're putting yourself on a different side from me. I just want to shake you. You are not an island! Stop isolating yourself from the people who love you and want to support you!

I don't know what I should be expecting from you.

Come to family functions?
Check in with me more regularly?
Eat with us?

And now there's pressure to move you out of our house because you are not keeping up with what you need to be doing and if DCS agrees with that they will cut you off. If they cut you off, you are homeless. We don't want you to go from us to homelessness. The hope is if we get you into a more structure housing program you either live by their rules or you go homeless from them. It's a little selfish. It's also another way to offer you support. You don't want it as usual.



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