My Teens Are Independent But They Still Need Me

By the time I drag myself into the kitchen, my high-school sophomore is already sitting at the table, eating breakfast (“yes, mom, I have protein and produce”) and starting in on her 64 ounces of total daily water consumption. And this is after she’s gotten herself out of bed, done her morning devotions, gone through her daily stretching routine, practiced her marching band drumline cadence on her home quad set, and washed her face.

When I see her at the table, I always ask, “Do you need me t...