My blue-haired girl went to Milan yesterday with a friend.  It was an accreditation day at school so the students didn't need to attend.  They took the train up in the morning, shopped and ate all day, and came back yesterday evening.  I was fine, but her Italian buddy's parents messaged every hour, gave her emergency contact friends in the city, and even insisted that she send screen shots of where they were sitting or the shops they were in.  Talk about hovering.  Italian parents are soooo coddling!  I've heard horror stories of mothers still bathing their 12 year old sons in the women's showers of our local pool.  There are 3rd and 4th graders who can't tie their own shoes because mommy always does it.  When they ask me to tie their shoes I say "NO!".  It was getting so bad at school with mothers refusing to leave the premises each morning, that a new rule, "kiss and fly!", has had to be implemented.  It's ridiculous.  I had lunch with an old girlfriend yesterday who has a 24 year old son still at home.  He doesn't go to school because he doesn't want to study and doesn't work because he can't find something that's just right.  His parents are constantly making excuses for him.  Poor thing.  I asked why she didn't kick him out and she said he's still just a child.  Everybody has heard of the Italian mamma's boys who live at home until they are married, when the wife takes over for mamma.  Well it's worse than I thought!  It's girls too!  Our next door neighbors have their college grad at home.  Mom washes, and cooks, and irons for her while she sleeps all day and goes out with friends in the evenings.  I understand the costs of independent living and the lack of jobs.  (The economy here stinks.)  But really!  Have some pride and wash your own undies!  When I mention that I am permitting Grace to meet a friend in London for a few days this spring I think my Italian friends will have conniptions.  How will she change her socks without me?  xxoo me

My Baby!