First, please thank your son for his service to our country. I pray for his safe return home.
I don't think you want to play this "my kid is better than your kid" game with me, do you? Both of my children are equally special and important to me.
My daughter is an over-achiever, in both academics and sports. She got a full ride at Ohio State, and was All-Academic Big 10 four years running. While there, she met and developed friendships with some of the greats in the sports-world. More importantly, she came out of it with 3 degrees, after much blood, sweat and tears. My son in law is completing his MBA, while working for a major firm making 6 figures. But the best thing I can say about them, is they are a loving married couple, happy, and secure. The fact that she converted him to being a Conservative Republican is the icing on the cake...:)
My son has an amazing artistic talent. He is more like me, not taking life too seriously, but being responsible at the same time. He has the soul of an angel, would give someone the shirt off of his back, and has found the woman of his dreams. It took him awhile to find his direction in life, and during that time, he lived with me. Did I charge him rent? Of course not. I had faith in him that he was destined for something special, and he has proved me right.
I would do anything for my children. They would do anything for me. "Turn them out" at 18? No way. It wasn't an issue with my daughter, but it was with my son. During the years he lived with me after the age of 18, he did so much for me. He was there after my back surgery, waiting on me hand and foot. He was there for me last May after the death of my dear daddy.
I raised him to respect women, and now his girlfriend will reap the benefits.
All I can do now is sit back and wait for my first grandchild.
Look, you attacked me first by saying I was somehow beneath you because I make my children responsible for their own lives at 18 years of age.
I was simply showing you that it works. They don't hate me, I haven't disowned them nor them me. Keyes, as well as I, believe adult children are responsible for their own decisions. Hopefully they make good ones - often they don't. But, it is not his responsibily to feed, clothe, educate or in anyway support her. The Gay lifestyle aspect of this thread is just another example of an adult child making their own decision. Frankly it is none of our business if he dissapproves and makes her responsible. It is Godly and it is right.