Wow, we just did this . . .

I include the following letter written to a "responsibility-challenged" 23-year-old.
Dear Lex:I need to apologize. I am so sorry! I've been stealing from you for years. I haven't taken anything like money… or any of your things. What I have stolen is your self-respect. I've also stood in the way of you becoming a man. I haven't done this on purpose. I did it because I love you very much. I really thought that I was doing the right thing by protecting you from the world. Now I realize that you need a chance to see that you have what it takes to make it in the world.When you were just a little boy, you were afraid to learn how to swim. Because I worried that you might drown if you ever fell in a pond or a pool, I forced you to get in the water for your first lesson. You were so mad at me! That's until you learned how to float and paddle your way around the pool. Then you were so proud. On the way home from the pool, you smiled from ear to ear.That's what I want for you now. That's why I'm expecting you to dive into adulthood by moving out and becoming completely self-supporting.If you decide that you would like to continue your education by going to trade school or community college, you may live here with us as long as you are doing your fair share of housework, are fun to be around, and are earning money to help us with utilities, food, and other miscellaneous expenses.Let me know what you decide.Love,Dad
I love how L&L encourages us, as parents, to apologize to our children when we don't get it quite right. Apposed to apologizing when we do get it right. I say "sorry" too much, but am learning when to say it.
This is pretty much what we did about 2 months ago with one of our adult children. I'm happy to report that he seems to be learning about the world around him and his place in it, making goals and really seeing what he wants out of life.