Definitely the fabric store ... part of your exhaustion must be in part because your daily routine has been disrupted! <g>
I was just thinking ... I am always prone to advice (partly because sometimes, I actually make sense!) And, sometimes, people who need to "vent" ... need input! They have done everything they could think to do to maintain a proper balance, and they need some different perspectives.
So, I have been thinking ... and, when my kids ever talk in front of me, or come to me with an idea ... and there is any question there - - it took us awhile to figure out ... they were actually using me as a sounding board!
Maybe what Lauren is wanting is mom to speak up and give the benefit of her experience - - feedback ... like a friend would do, or another adult would do. It isn't a life or death matter, after all, but like my dad - - if you can give some insight on how you arrive at the choices/decisions you made in your lifetime, you will teach another generation how to think ...
If my kids don't want a conversation with me, they do not bother to talk about something in front of me ... but, it all depends on what kind of a relationship you have had with your kids all along.
Granted, my daughters in law and sons in law have had to learn about my unique personality, and I have had to learn about theirs, but that is part of having a relationship. Your situation isn't with complete strangers where you have no reason to give and take, after all ... maybe, by asking some questions you can get an idea of why they are considering their options, and those particular options ... and, as a daughter who tends to become a kid again around her parents<me> :cry: maybe Lauren is thinking that this is what you expect of her ... it is pretty strong, that desire for our parents to see us as capable adults who have a handle on things ...
honest, open conversation ...
all family dynamics are different ... all I can tell you is what happens in my family and hope that maybe some of my experience you can use for your new position in life <g>.