<p>Pizzagirl, I mean no disrespect. These are all great points for a discussion with an adult child. </p>
<p>Really, the bigger question is, at what point do you respect your child as an adult and give up the power to veto? Is it when you are no longer paying, or is it sooner, or is it never?</p>
<p>One major reason for not living in an apartment - the summer. Dealing with subleasing is not fun, having to pay for an apartment you may not be using is not fun, being forced to stay in your college town for the summer because you cannot afford multiple rents is not fun.</p>
<p>Other reasons: the roommate who doesn’t pay, the roommate who trashes the place, the roommate who brings in a significant (or insignificant) other to live. Dealing with landlord to fix problems/repair. Dealing with utility companies.</p>
<p>Yes, all of these things are learning experiences. But IMO, the kid can have these experiences once they’re out of college.</p>
<p>ClassicRockerDad, the point at which I respect my child as an adult is the point at which I no longer would get the 2AM requests for me to call the landlord because the toilet is blocked up. (And when decision A doesn’t cost me more than decision B.) Each of us knows when our children have reached that point.</p>
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<p>I agree. Give me something more compelling than “I want to try apartment living.” Sounds like there’s something going on under the surface that she is not sharing. Any way you can get her to tell you what is REALLY going on? </p>
<p>Does she NOT like her block mates? Is her House far from the madding crowd? What is it?</p>
<p>I don’t know if the 6-hour ortho trip is the main subject of this post, but have you looked into making arrangements with the Dental School at Harvard? I’m a Canadian student, so I obviously can’t fly back home once a month, so I met with the Orthodontics department chair at Penn and he agreed to adjust/maintain my braces during my time at Penn for $100/visit.</p>
<p>great advice, powerbomb</p>
<p>Wow !! Lots of interesting posts to consider . #1 -My D is only 18 ,and an apartment can encompass alot of time devoted to non school issues . #2 I think other things are going on .My H thinks she is very conscious about the environment .I think some of her issues are ODD, like walking out of the supermarket because she hates the LIGHTING .We had to leave a clothing store because she was sure than many of the clothes were made by child labor .I think she should see a therapist to get a handle on dealing with LIFE .She is becoming a real " Debbie DOWNER " . My H thinks she is just sensitive ,I think she may be depressed .I am glad she wants to come home so I can do an emotional check-up .</p>
<p>Good luck, Dr. Mom…</p>