Plane Talk

I awoke to a loud conversation the woman in 4B was having on her cell phone just minutes before takeoff.

Her daughter, a 20-something college student, was stressed out over a requirement in her communications class that she log in and create a journal entry twice a day during the semester. She would have two 12-hour windows each day to accomplish the task. But if she went out with her friends at night and stayed past midnight, then slept until 2, she'd do poorly in the class.

Mom was attempting (rather unsuccessfully) to calm her down by encouraging the daughter to contact her advisor and drop the class. Simple enough, it takes care of the immediate crisis but it doesn't solve the BIGGER problem.

Staring out the window at 30,000 feet, my half awake mind was thinking "I hope this girl doesn't apply for a job at the bakery".

We've had our share of 20-somethings overwhelmed by all the decisions they have to make as a newly independent adult. They are always talented and creative people, attributes I love around the bakery. But, like the daughter on the other end of the phone, they have trouble coping with the stresses that come with independent living and decision-making. And, like the daughter, they want someone to figure it out for them. Eventually they'll figure it out for themselves. It's called growing up.

But it's a process that takes time, and often we get them too early in that process. I have to keep telling myself I'm not their mother -- my primary job is run a successful bakery. When growing pains and poor decisions get in the way, I have to side with the bakery.

And some day, most of these young people will make good adults and good employees. Just not for me right now.

 

Comments

[groundhog.judy]

When my husband passed away and I found myself alone I had stress having to do everything alone. We were a partnership and the things he did in the partnership I now must cope with. Some things I can conpensate with but others I can't seem to deal with. Day by day I mature with the attitude if I can't do it I don't need it.

[groundhog.judy]

My daughter was very mature during her college years but did not know how to manage her money. Finally in desperation she canceled all her credit cards and only delt in cash. Now she is starting in with one credit card and learning money management skills. I think she has finally grown into an adult at the age of 28.