Once on your own, you'll find laundry will need to be done more than occasionally - what with clothes piling up with greater frequency than this. Doing only my own laundry requires more than an occasional visit to the washer and dryer, so one wonders if you're even doing all of your own laundry - and by "all" I mean the purchase of the detergent and taking the laundry from the laundry basket to the hanger or shelf.
It doesn't sound like you're in any danger of being overextended. It sounds like you have little idea of how overextended your mother is and how you might be able to jiggle that social calendar around a bit to better accommodate her. If you're not willing to forgo some of your social life (you mention friends and having discussed this at some length, so one is assured you're not suffering in this regard) to better accommodate your current living situation, perhaps it is not you who wonders about getting through the next three months, but rather your mother.
You can repair the relationship by giving your mother the respect she deserves by acting as an adult would (read: how you would conduct yourself once on your own) and stop listening to the sage advice of friends who it sounds like have about as much experience with adulthood as you do.
If you can't pull that off for three months, you might want to reconsider the stamina you have for college and/or being on your own. These are both commitments wherein you are expected to be responsible enough to do things without having to be told - and way more than occasionally.
Article comments
1 - ray
Way to go! Human beings at this age don't really know what what adult responsibilities are and to some degree they shouldn't have to. But the hard working mom in the letter deserves more than the immature opinions of this writer's friends. Your comments were a wake up call for everybody who underestimates adulthood.
2 - sherri
I disagree with the author. The son's responsibility level is directly related to the mother's lack of significant other. My advice to him would be -move to another state. I am nearly 50, and have not found the end of what my single mom mother expects of me. She also uses her emotions to control and steal energy from those around her. Get out while you can!