<p>^^^^Great post from someone who’s been there.</p>
<p>Hi parents. I forgot the password to my throwaway account, so I created another one. It’s me. I always meant to update, and this is a good time. </p>
<p>I graduated with honors in May and am now employed in a job that I love in my field - while living at home. Funny how things work out! </p>
<p>Thank you so much for the words. I read them four years ago and have kept them close to my heart, even though I didn’t respond much. Re-reading this thread makes me tear up. There are many things I can admit now that I could not have admitted then, because the wounds were too fresh. Yes, I said some terrible things to my parents, too. It took me a long time to forgive them, far longer than it took them to forgive me. I didn’t want to believe at that time that our relationship would ever get better, but it did once I was no longer tiptoeing around them and they weren’t walking on eggshells around me. In college, I said “I love you” to my mother for the first time. Even if it was over email.</p>
<p>At the time, I was not ready to say this publicly but on the first day of freshman orientation I fell and injured myself badly and suddenly I was glad my parents were there. The first night in the dorm after they flew home was… I lay in my bed, and was gripped by the realization that for the first time in my life, I really was alone. If I had an emergency and wanted them to come to me, it would have meant a day of traveling for them. I had been determined not to go home over winter break, but I did. I needed home more than I knew. </p>
<p>I chose to come home after graduation, with my mother’s blessing, to save on rent. All in all, I have it good for a young adult. No debt, good full-time job relevant to major, savings in the bank. I can’t ask for more. </p>
<p>I wouldn’t say we have a great relationship now, but it’s functional, not dysfunctional like it used to be. We talk. We hash things out. It’s civil for the most part. I still struggle with how to improve our relationship, but I know we’ve already come a long way. For that I am grateful.</p>
<p>Thank you, parents. I’ve learnt so much from all of you over the years. </p>