>What we did also worked in terms of building good relationships. Both call when they need information or guidance, and listen to our advice. (Nathaniel, the 22-year-old, called from Manhattan a few weeks back for the "Mom-ernet." <g> Could I help him find a coffee shop near Washington Square?)

Worked both ways. I had the honor of guiding a daughter or two - me Google maps, she cell phone - but then was also in a situation where it was the other way around, me calling home "OK I'm at the corner of so-and-so, where's that bank now, I'm facing south".