it is amazing to me as my children grow, that I fall further down the list of what is important in their lives. I am glad to see the independence. It means that I have done my job right, but it hurts to be an after thought. My son (14) thinks its funny top make fun of me with his friends. I have spoken to him about it and now he just does it on his texting. I ask  nicely for the things that are not clearly  mine on the floor, couch, table to be removed and for them to find their proper homes. Fat chance, apparently  they are the new mystery  of the century. I also can't find their proper owner. I get tired of repeating myself and tossing things so I don't feel like I am living in the next frat house. ( aminal house here I come) I think the hardest thing sometimes is that I have to be both parents rolled into one. It gets really old, old, old. I have been divorced from my ex( one of my better decisions) for three years and have been separated for 4 before that. I see them moving on, and in some cases having additonal children, they are not paying for the ones they have and I wonder, WHEN IS IT MY TURN,? I don't mean the money part, just finding that someone that thinks I am the cats meow. anyway, I am off to walk the dog. He loves me , maybe alittle too much