Today's 20-Somethings Have it Tough

Waaahhh... I'm a 20-Something!

You 20-somethings of today have it tough.  Let's start with the label "20-Somethings."  Who came up with that name?  What about all those other cool generational tag lines that came before you:  The Greatest generation, Yuppies, Gen Xers.  Really, a "Something?"  Maybe you prefer Echo Boomers or Millenniums?  Not much better.  Don't feel so bad, how would you like to be called a "Helicopter Parent."  I know, right?  Trust me, we Helicopter Parents don't have it so easy either.  I guess we all need to try and do better.  Forget about labels, just focus on you!

You are expected to transition from complete dependence on your parents to total independence in your 20's in an age of global competition for jobs, a fragile economy, student loans, and all the while living up to expectations set by yourself and others.  That's hard.  To the extent that we parents helped create this situation, we're sorry.  Let's agree to not talk about why we're where we are today because we can't change your reality, but what we can do is accept the situation and provide help.

That's where I come in.  I am the mother of a 20-something who will be graduating from college this Spring and I've been focused on all of the stuff he needs to know and take over when he graduates.  If I'm being honest with myself, it's an unrealistic expectation that he will magically transition to self-responsible adulthood on May 18th, but that's not a reason to not start the transition.  He just needs to get started.  If you are like him, then you just need to get started too.

You may have already acquired many of the skills required of you as an adult, that's great.  Just focus on the areas where you need help.  Just take baby steps.  Don't wait for the perfect mate, the perfect job, the perfect house to start being an independent adult.

This blog will attempt to provide helpful guidance using a little bit of a "tough love" approach, but be assured you are not in this alone and it won't be that tough.  Stayed tuned for helpful posts on a variety of topics, including: Career, Cooking, Drugs (and other vices), Education, Finance, Health, Housing, Laundry, Pets, Relationships & Dating, Social Media, Transportation, and anything else you want to talk about.

Welcome, Good Luck, I have faith in you!  More to come.