As of today, I’m only 75% as likely to be arrested for child abuse.

Although now that I’m making a joke about child abuse, I’m 75% more likely to be dragged across hot asphalt covered in broken glass by those who won’t find it funny.

One of my kids turned 18 today. That’s one down, three to go.

This offers an interesting observation regarding relative power. She’s 18 now – a legal adult. Legally, I have less ability to compel her. If she wants to move out, drop out of school, shave her head and cover it with tattoos*, I can’t stop her.

Legally.

In a practical sense, however, I most certainly can stop her. And I don’t have to resort to the “my roof, my rules” argument, either. Which, in a way, makes me more influential than I was before, even though the law no longer supports me. Kind of like Don Corleone being able to compel the people around him even after Luca Brasi snuggled up to a fish.

* Not that she’d do any of those things. Her mother raised her right.