Celebrated my 18th birthday in Boot Camp in Ft. Dix New Jersey.
I have a 21 year-old stepson. He's working full time and going to school. He pays his own incidentals, car payment, and contributes to the insurance. We take care of pretty much everything else.
I'm right in line with everyone else: As long as he has a plan, and is working towards it... We are fine. I've told him my job is to boot him out of the nest and not hear a loud "THUD".
I figure he has 3, maybe 4 more years to finish his BSME. At the rate he's going, he will be debt free and most likely have money in the bank.
Put him out at 18?? That might have worked in the past, but there are WAAAY too many distractions out there for a kid today.