keepasking: you're going through this"??? No, your kid is going through this, and the "this" is called life. Some of you uber-nosy moms need to butt out and get one of your own. JMO :O)

I'm not trying to be negative here, but why does your son's relationship have to have a label? As cringe-worthy as this might sound, she may be a casual friend-with-benefits**, or just a regular, non-cringe-worth everyday good friend. Neither of those situations require a label as heavy as "girlfriend". He could be, however, just not ready to discuss what's going on with his friend. I'm sure he'll tell you what's going on if it gets serious enough to mention.

** As a side note, your son is likely not doing this...but it is more common nowadays than ever. It was just mentioned to add a possibility and I apologize if I offended you or your son by mentioning it.

Becky- yes he has a girlfriend. We're going through this with our high schooler. Different cities and schools but definitely a GF. Ah to be young again!

I'm Mitch Weber and I approve this message.

knox wasn't/isn't a horrid writer. it sounds like maybe he was taking all the crap personally. it seemed like he tried to fit what he wrote to what he thought people wanted to read instead of what he though-the last few blogs anyway. i did think his blogs were a little silly but i always read them and i bet they were the most commented on. by the way Becky, I always read your blogs also. it is always interesting to read what other people are thinking. too bad the comments sometimes go too far.

Seriously funny- your so right on ! and gbpacker- Knox was tired of all the haters. He took a break from cynical people. I miss him and am sure he will Be back when he is ready.

On the serious side.. a blog isn't really an article. I always figured a blog was to write more personal things about yourself (which she did)... so what if it wasn't exactly what someone else would write? The point of a blog is to express YOU. So no complaints. Let her SON say something if HE'S offended in any way.. he'll probably just roll his eyes.. and go "Oh.. Mom.. not again." :)

ROFL! Worth reading the article just to see the "Onion" link! Thanks, Walker. You cheered me up!

Maybe an advice column would be better than discussing the particulars of your life. Yes, we like to discuss people's situation, but it feels too close to home to discuss your children, etc. If I had to comment, I'd say, "Why label?"

dalegribble: "persecuting the writter" (sic) too funny! No one is bashing anyone here! But some of us realize that Becky is a little too interested in her adult son's personal life, regardless of the title of the blog or having carte blanche permission to write about it. The Onion video shows a humourously extreme version of an overreaching mom, which unfortunately is all too common today.

Wow, I find you nay-sayers rather intriguing. I would think that it would be an honor. My parents used to talk with people about the guys I dated. It was public conversation and tactful. I don't find it offensive because I find it interesting and reminds me of the good ole' days.

Thank you, Becky, for reminding me how much my parents love me. I bet your son is grateful for your love and interest in his well-being.

It doesn't matter.........it will all work out the way it's suppose to.

AbcXyz.....get a life!

Thought I should interject, my son has given me carte blanche - and thanks to those of you who actually answered the question!! I appreciate your input.

I shared that onion video early on...

At least she doesnt captalize every other word to shout at us.

Mean people suck - not this blog! Seriously folks, the Gazette is doing the right thing by allowing VARIETY in their bloggers. People blog about sports, politics, gardening, and family, etc. YOU get to choose what you read. If you don't like it, don't read it; but don't leave your big black blob of dark energy everywhere you go!
~
Beck - My rule of thumb with raising two boys...it isn't a girlfriend until SHE tells me so! Even then, I treat her like 'a friend' because young love is weird that way. You are not a helicopter parent and many couldn't do this because they don't have the type of relationship you have with M. He's a super awesome young man who knows you love him!

geesh, try to bring up a topic of conversation and look what happens. by the way, where is knox?

RE: Onion - That mother acts like "Little Jeffey" is two years old at day care. Hahaha!

Just a thought: The title of Becky's blog is "The Empty Nester." Based on that title, it is entirely appropriate that she would discuss the comings and goings of her college-aged child. Nothing in this particular blog entry was overly personal. She didn't name him, or his friend, or describe either one of them except in general terms. Nor did she make any judgment of whether this young lady should or shouldn't be his girlfriend--only that it was curious to her that there is no designated title, if you will. That, in my book, as the mother of two grown children, and another still at home, is hardly airing the family laundry in public. Some of you are responding as though she had posted nude baby pictures of her son, or pages of his journal online. That *would* be crossing the line. I hardly think this goes that far.

So Becky, in answer to your question, back in my day, we would have had to be practically engaged before doing all that running around together, but relationships seem to be much more loosey-goosey now. Let them enjoy themselves. Their relationship will figure itself out as time goes by.

Walker, that was so awesome! I laughed through the whole thing. It is true though, you can track your kid on there. I don't, but you can. Quit bashing this mother! She is just not "with it" that boys and girls can be just friends. JMO

I'm disappointed in the comments thus far in not realizing that your son does in fact know that you write about him and that you do have his permission to discuss things like this.

As to your question, things are different. Boys and Girls can be friends without wanting to date, but then there also could be underlying feelings. Either way, it's two people enjoying each other's company and having fun at the moment.

Your son is an adult, as adults we learn from our mistakes, triumphs and tragedies. Let your son and this young lady be. You pry into his personal life, then use it for your own personal use (Blogging), you may find your son will lose his trust in you and clam up. Trust is very important and you loose it, its very hard to gain back.
*
I'm always amazed at what people post about their families and friends on the web. Some very personal things. All along they have been posting pictures and names of them, and they some how can't put 2 and 2 together. When you see mothers complaining about their shy daughters, then letting the web know the daughter got her first period. Or a daughter who got an abortion. Marriage, financial or other problems of their adult children, siblings, etc. These are not things you should be posting on the web.

LOVED the Onion story. Thank you Walker!

The point here is respect for other people, not how many people might be reading this.

Loved the Onion snippet, too! What a freak for a mom, though. "Little Jeffey"..!!!???!? Oh, brother.

This blogger was always an iffy read, now im gone forever.
How does the gazette pick community bloggers? Is this the water cooler talk at WCLO and Glazlo? My 7 year old has more interesting topics for discussion.
I'm with Joan and Dini79

Very Sad...

He's got himself a girlfriend.

Hard to know. Some male-female relationships are just good friendships. I know a guy whose best friend from high school, and "best woman" at his wedding to another girl, was female -- it was just a platonic friendship. On the other hand, some, like myself, eventually marry someone we were once "just good friends" with, and live happily ever after! Let your son deal with it -- he and the girl will figure out which type of relationship they want.

OMG - loved the Onion snippet! That takes me back to my college days when I had male friends that were just that - friends. There was myself, a girlfriend, and a guyfriend who were I-N-S-E-P-A-R-A-B-L-E. We went everywhere together-even pored over The Onion News like it was nobody's business. 10 years later we are still in contact fairly regularly.

I agree that it's inappropriate to discuss this publicly. But since you asked ...As to whether he wants her to be his girlfriend, who knows? Maybe she is the one who wants a relationship and he just wants to be friends.
Either way Mom, you should have zero involvement. And I certainly hope you are not asking him direct questions about his personal life!

Point missed. This plain doesn't belong here.
In fact, I feel icky.

Joan - Lighten up... Do you really think there are many college freshmen reading this?

As for the situation... There's a lot of dating without the standard "boyfriend/girlfriend" titles. Especially freshman year of college. I can't say I know many guys that would put that much effort in without there being some sort of romantic interest...

death of journalism

I have to agree on this one - why post this? I read these blogs and often wonder - do bloggers NOT have a filter?

Give them privacy and respect. You never know.
You don't want to turn into this type of mother.
http://www.theonion.com/content/video/fa...

yeah. why would you want all 7 people who read this to know about your son??;)

ask yoself...would he put that much time into it if his friend was a male?? of course he WANTS her to be his gf. maybe he should start by passing a note and asking if she wants to play at recess...circle yes/no!!

I hope you have your son's permission to publicly discuss this situation. If not, it's very disrespectful. Children are not property. I suspect he doesn't want his "friend" to find out about his possible romantic interests via your article.

Parents - don't over-involve yourselves in your adult off spring's lives. It's inappropriate and controlling behavior that will harm them.