The Teenage Years
From my experience the teenage years are there to help loosen the apron strings and help everyone accept a child leaving the house to start their own life. If they stayed as sweet and as lovable as they are when then are babies and toddlers you would never want them to leave.
As it is, teenage years of growing independence set the stage for the final exit into the world and as a parent you are usually more than ready for it by that time. Keep that in mind parents and future parents, the teenage years do have a purpose, trust me on this.
Update: My daughter did go to college in August and I have written about that experience as well.
