Today I took my daughter Ashley to the doctor.  While she was out of the room I voiced a concern about something and the doctor informed me that he would have to consult with her before he could speak with me about it because she is an adult.

Excuse me?  I informed him that she would not be 18 for two more weeks so technically she wasn’t an adult. Translated into mother speak I was telling him that she was still my baby….and she always will be.

He then informed me that at his practice that 16 was the age they considered my child to be an adult, or at any age they become pregnant, they are independent.  What?  If Ashley had gotten pregnant at 14 I would have been ushered out of the room and left out of the decisions?  In my opinion if your child is pregnant before they turn 18 you have all ready been out of the room too much—I am just saying.

Now I was under the impression in my rational mind that I was handling the senior year and imminent departure of my first born for college very well.  At least I thought I was until I was informed that I was no longer needed at the doctors office.  Who is going to hold her hand when they draw blood?  Who is going to fill in the blanks when she explains her symptoms? Who is going to pay the bill?  I don’t think I am ready for this.  No, I know I am not ready for this.

What is next? They are going to tell me I can’t travel to Central Michigan and clean her room?  Is there a laundry ban for mothers in the dorms?  I suppose my presence in the delivery room won’t be needed either! LOL!!

Thankfully, Ashley had no desire to kick me out of the room so I was able to stay.  I thought growing up was hard, but letting her grow up is going to be even harder.