My eighteen-year-old daughter, Amy, just called. After a quick hello, she recounted her day--which had not gone according to her plans.

Amy's in her first semester at the local university. She's learning how to juggle classes and work and friends and church activities. Today she dropped a few balls.

Her the art project that she thought was due in three days? It was due today.

The extra time set aside to study for her history mid-term? Gone, once she realized she hadn't turned in her art project.

And so her day went.

What did I say when she finally stopped bemoaning her day?

Nothing.

This was not the time for a parental "I told you so" lecture. She didn't call me to ask, "So, what lessons do I need to learn from all this, Mom?"

She knows what the lessons are--and she takes total responsibility for whatever grades she gets in her classes.

I'm sorry she messed up on an assignment and didn't study for a midterm. But I am so proud of how she put the responsibility square on her two shoulders. She's growing up--and learning life lessons without me.

And that's how it should be.

Me and Amy before she left for her summer in Guatemala--ten days after she graduated from high school!