This is the best place for them, but they tend to unload their problems on us.

In addition, my job took a considerable turn for the worse (another 10-15 hours per week).

When my wife and I moved into our new, smaller, better home, we had about three months alone and it was wonderful. We were doing things together, enjoying our quiet home, and making it the kind of home we always wanted. Then the children started returning home. Though they are in their twenties, we feel like parents of teenagers again.

The second hardest part was my 40s, raising troubled teens. The best was my teens (carefree) and thirties raising our young family. Honestly, raising kids between 0 and 12 was a delight, and I’d happily go back and do it again.

But, both situations are temporary, so I’m looking forward to the second half of my 50’s.