Short Circuit's Journal: Family time: With, or for, the kids?

I'm getting tired of being ignored around the house. Aside from chore reminders, the most attention I get from my parents is the occasional small puzzle, news article or second-hand piece of mail, with the accompanying, "I thought you would enjoy that."

I Do enjoy those things, very much. However, they're always items that I'm left to enjoy on my own. On the occasions when I've tried to start multi-person activities, I'm told that they, "need time {alone|with each other|to work}."

There are a couple of items that we do with some regularity. We watch marathons of our favorite TV shows on DVD, for example, but these are always "no comment" periods where everyone is quiet, or I'm quiet and my parents are working on their homework together. We also go shopping and out to eat some Saturday mornings. But it's always them talking with each other about work, whether we're eating or walking through a mall. At Best Buy, I wander off on my own to oggle interesting things.

Would moving out for a couple weeks help? Is it time for me to move out permanently? Or am I way off base?

Update: And, yes, I live in my parents' basement. :)

If you have to ask the question

[Marxist Hacker 42]

Then it is way past time to move out permanently, assuming that you can afford to do so financially. Family Time For Kids is for the under 18 crowd.

Re:If you have to ask the question

[Short Circuit]

There's no way in hell could I afford living on my own. I'd have to give up the insurance that pays for my medication.

And I don't have enough experience or education that I can put on a resumé and get a job with health insurance benefits.

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[account_deleted]

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Re:If you have to ask the question

[Short Circuit]

Antidepressant, antipsychotic (though I'm not psychotic, mind you.), and a medication to help me control my OCD. I have insurance so long as I'm a full-time student and live with my parents. (With a stipulation that "full time" is 9 credits per semester due to my learning disability.

I'm 21 years old. I've tutored computing subjects for the past two years, I did phone tech support for about five years, and I've had an annual "position" as teacher's assistant in computer camp for the past eight. I've neve

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Re:If you have to ask the question

[Short Circuit]

Design computer architectures.

A more realistic goal? Electrical engineer for digital electronics.

Secondary goal? Embedded systems programmer.

Re:If you have to ask the question

[nkh]

Hi, I'm 24 and almost in the same situation you are in at the moment. Is your "learning disability" preventing you from studying electronics, hardware and embedded systems? Or are you just lazy like me and have "forgot" to work for 24 years?

I discovered my university 5 years ago and it almost changed my life. I know now that I'll have a life and be able to work with computers when I get a degree, unlike my teachers have told me for 18 years. Can't you really try a few more years with your parents? I'd lik

Re:If you have to ask the question

[Short Circuit]

Actually, the reduced classwork is a blessing, because I could not otherwise afford classes. (No student loans, no debt. No scholarships.)

I am studying electrical engineering, but I'm running out of classes I can take at a 2-year institution. I'll soon have to transfer to a four-year institution like Ferris or Grand Valley, which means even higher costs for classes than I'm paying now.

Re:If you have to ask the question

[ForRealMom]

Focus ...

Check the catalog and find out the classes you NEED to take to get your transfer degree at Ferris or Grand Valley. Plug away at them ... There is definately a future out there ... I like the fact that you have no loans and no debt. When you finish your degree. YOU will have earned it, not me, not your dad, not your step dad. The degree will belong to YOU!!!

BTW: Don't forget to apply at the college you wish to attend :)

Your tone in your messages are sounding down and depressed. You have act

Re:If you have to ask the question

[Marxist Hacker 42]

There's no way in hell could I afford living on my own. I'd have to give up the insurance that pays for my medication.

That alone says you need to stay- regardless. The thing you need to realize is that your relationship with your parents needs to change; they're adults to and you need to learn to be friends with them.

Dear Son

[ForRealMom]

It's been coming, a long time. I do love you, and I am interested in how you do. But the time has come for you to start participating in activities outside the house. I am pleased to see you "Hanging Out" with your friends on Saturday. I won't be there forever. I do want to thank you ... for several years you have been my confidant and friend, when you probably should have been more my son. As a single parent, and you being the older of the two kids, you were my stability and focus in life. I have be

Yes, people.

[Short Circuit]

That's my mom.

Random musings and second thoughts...

[baldass_newbie]

Your parents had their relationship before you and they will after you, they don't have it for your or because of you. If you want a relationship, go get one. Make a night out a week to interact with others. Library, bowling and shopping are acceptable.

As for employment/education, why not combine the two. If you get an Admin job at Ferris [ferris.edu], you get up to 8 credits free along with medical coverage.

At some point you're going to have to make decisions that are bold. I'm not saying this as a cut, but the