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child, as it was in the other child, if there is one. And people tend to return to what they know.

Your fears and concerns are vast with the rogue fledgling. However, it is how you handle the contact after the flight that matters most. And this is true of the "normal" fledgling, as well. Listen, do not condone self destructive behavior and habits, and love them. Each child, person, chooses their lifestyle. Many make choices that do not fit within the norms of the family or even society. At the end of the day the parent really cannot do anything about it.

Do not fall prey to the addiction or manipulation of the problem fledgling. When mine wandered back in, we had to be consistent. He was not allowed to stay home when he was living outside of the rules and breaking the law, we held him to the morals and values of our household. He was an adult, and knew the consequences of his lifestyle. Ultimately the decision was his, alone. Each time he chose his lifestyle our hearts broke as the door latched on his way out. Once again, out there on his own, like the other child, only making poor choices. On I prayed.

Know this, our children, like ourselves are resilient creations. We succeeded to become independent beings, even as our mother's waved and reminisced about our first independent act of leaving on that yellow school bus. And your child will too.

Fledge means capable of flying. Independence is the goal of the fledgling. They may leave the nest, but they will return for a visit. And that feeling of uselessness, of not being needed, it's a lie. The child needs the parents, to love them and support their decisions in life. The rouge child needs their parents more, to guide and be consistent. It is what we, as parents, instill in the children that will ultimately mold the adults that they are going to become.

Final Act: Last scene: Ready or not. There they go. Watch them fly. The curtain falls on a child well raised, hear the applause?

Learn more about this author, Andrea D. Hutchinson.
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