Just turned 18 child texts and says "I did a thing"

New hair?

Yeah that was a thought - she has dyed her hair before. Wasn't that. But that thought did go through my head - was one of the milder ones.

Some sort of beach activity like surfing or sailing, some sort of manoeuvre or trick.

nope - but one thing that did go through my head was another injury - she has had many injuries always a concern.

Tattoo?

Yes another thought that went through my head, but fleetingly - she has always seemed against tattoos - I know they are in fashion now so definitely a worry - thankfully it wasn't that!

She had sex.

nope (at least this wasn't the I did a thing) - again that crossed my mind along with things in that vicinity.

I didn't know this would be a guessing game. I responded what might cross my mind if I received such a text from my 18 year old which is a bit hypothetical since neither of my kids have shown any interest in the beach.

In that spirit I will continue with what would cross my mind.

Ha ha - just was wondering what other parents would think - what things would go through their heads in five minutes and how panicked they would be before she finally arrived and you found out. Because it started mild and then got increasingly panicky.

First thoughts were something more like izzy said - something new she got an opportunity to do - more exciting fun but innocent. Then it moved to more scary things -- what the heck - did she meet a new guy, did serious; how serious; then tattoo would she really do that; then oh no she got hurt, crap what happened to her ---

so by the time she walked in I just sat there and tried to be calm at that point convinced she broke something.

I hear her and kind of peek at her - it was dark so I said what did you do something to your hair again? Nope -

A nose piercing. I am like to myself - ok so what after what went through my head who cares. My husband was not so keen on it but I was so relieved that was at it was - she claimed her sister (the conservative one liked it so it was ok). My husband just shook his head - I honestly did not care.

I warn her that she might not be able to play with piercing in - not sure what the rules are in college - that is for her to deal with though worst case she has to take it out and it isn't healed enough. I did joke that -- you know you need to pick your nose to take it out and clean it!

Pretty bad 5 minutes of my life though.

Nose and tongue are my least favorite piercings. The rest I am indifferent to. But it's not for me to judge.

I was surprised by the nose - at one time when she was a bit younger she mentioned the belly button - her reasoning - it just seems so plain.

When I was in Ipswich in the late 90s nose piercings were very much the fashion with young women, a small one in the side of the nose, often with a jewel.

Probably not something a teenager would be in a hurry to share with a parent though.

Joined the Navy.

Got arrested.

Tried cocaine.

Got married.

Got married to a member of an outlaw motorcycle gang.



I know you've already said it was a nose piercing. I'm just making suggestions as to what it could have been.

Exactly .. so many things went through my head so I was curious as to what other parents would have starting thinking … and each thought became increasingly worrisome so in the end the nose piercing was not a big deal.

It could be worse, imagine if you were elephants.

I encourage you to tell your daughter how are you felt when she dropped that “bomb” on you. How your imagination went crazy and you were frightened about exactly what she meant.

Somehow she knew there would be a reaction from you. She just didn’t know what it would be or how strong it would be. Not fair for her to do that to you, but she’s young.

Encourage her to talk about things before she jumps into action. Next time it could be one of the items listed above.

I would have assumed the worst - some police activity, damage to the car,
gotten in a bad altercation, damaged something big at the friends house..

yeah, I would be a nervous wreck too! 5 min can be an eternity!