My son, Logan, is turning 18 on Friday and I want a gift.
Yes, I know traditionally the birthday boy would a get a gift, and he will. I’m thinking of getting him a passport so he can go on all these grand adventures he has planned. It is significant because I’m 38 and I have never even had or needed a passport.
I’m also giving him money because there is an EMT class he is saving up to take over the summer.
Don’t worry, he doesn’t read my blog and even if he did, he already knows about this stuff.
Anyway back to ME! Not only did I survive his first 18 years, but I also have molded him into the amazing young man he is today, and I think I should get a birthday gift on his 18th birthday. Diamonds are always nice 🙂
Photographer gunner07
Logan is unconvinced. At every opportunity I let him know how I, personally, have made his life better.
Examples:
Logan: I have really good eye hand coordination.
Me: That’s because I breast fed you. Bottle-fed babies tend to be held the same way every time, but I had to switch you from one side to another which means you had one eye and one hand free, then the next time the other. So as you looked around, at me, grabbed for things, you used both your hands and eyes through the day.
Logan: Huh
Logan: I’m really glad that I chose to go to St. Gregory.
Me: That’s because of me.
Logan: No, you can’t claim this one, I asked, I biked for the internship, I got in.
Me: Um, hello! I was trying to be a good mom and homeschool you at the level you needed to get in Annapolis (the school he wanted to go to at 14). You refused to get out of bed, so I sent you to Edge High School, where you were taken on a field trip to St. Gregory’s ropes course. You are now at St. Gregory’s thriving and happy because of me.
Logan sniffed and changed the subject.
I could go on and on about how the good things in Logan’s life and the things he likes about himself are as a direct result of ME.
So what do you think my Spider friends, should moms get a gift on their child’s 18th birthday??
And don’t worry I haven’t forgotten about dads. They get presents on the kids 21st birthday.
I’ve joked with my kids that what I should get when they turn 18 is payment for having raised them. In particular, items like $1,258 for uneaten restaurant meals, $3,402 for doctor and emergency room visits due to stupid stunts, $12,890 for extra-curricular activities just because. LOL. Congrats on raising a terrific son!
I am going to start adding everything up right now and he is getting a bill.
A joint, or family, celebration would be nice. It’s a milestone to get your child to legal adulthood – although trust me, you aren’t done yet – and I like the idea of the family acknowledging this as a unit. It took everyone’s input to get here.
I like the idea of the kid giving Mom some flowers or something on the kid’s birthday. After all, she did most of the work on that original birthday. We have Mother’s Day for that, I guess. But I like the birthday idea more.
I’m glad I’m not done- thankfully my son is only a JR in high school so I have one more year with him. If this was his complete last year I think I would be losing my mind.
We should start the joint mama/kid birthday celebrations- first thing mom doesn’t have to plan/organize/host the birthday party LOL
Bravo, Alicia! Yes, you should definitely get a present! Love this post! Happy 18th birthday to Logan. I’ve never had a passport either! That’s cool that you’re including the dads and they’ll be rewarded for the 21st BD! LOL!
Thank you Lynn! Logan is being out voted so far, I see a gift in my future. Got the paperwork for the passport, pictures next week!
Great idea! I say diamonds are a good choice. 🙂 Happy Birthday to your son–and you!
Thank you! I’m going to send him pics of diamonds to help him make a good choice 🙂
You should get a prize or a medal of honor or at the very least many many many gold stars. 🙂 Happy birthday to your son and you for raising a great son!
Thank you so much Asrai. I can work with gold stars- actually any validation is fine with me 🙂