No need for "old tomato"

Our children are nearing adulthood. They want the freedom that adulthood brings; the liberty of their own place, making their own way and not having to call to tell us where they are. And we want that for them too. Not because we don't love, but precisely because we love them.


This week, my husband and I had discussed and fretted a bit about how to encourage more intensity to seek direction, school interest or work. We finally landed on what we call a reasonable "old tomato" (ultimatum). One which we knew we would stand by and would encourage action toward said desired freedom. When we called one of our young adults to the office to sit and chat, it was as if they could read our mind. They sat down and launched into the plans, the course of study, the action steps and timing for where they wanted to go. Stunned, we smiled at each other knowing....no need for “old tomato.”