I firmly believe that kids should move out when they turn 18. If my daughter doesn’t leave our house after her 18th birthday, she’ll remain a dependent child, always leaning on her parents. I need her to grow up, face the real world, and learn what it means to stand on her own.
There will never be a “perfect time” to leave the nest — it’s supposed to be challenging. But now, she’s calling me a terrible mom for forcing her out when she doesn’t have a job. To that, I ask, how else is she going to get a job if she’s not pushed into the real world? Am I really the villain for wanting her to be independent and strong?