Today I relived my drivers test through my sixteen year old daughter. Today she passed her test test. By doing so she moved herself into the next phase of independence. When she arrived back with a big smile on her face and thumbs up I knew that I too was moved to another phase, the next phase of letting go.
As I look back on my life as a parent I can picture in my mind the times when I had to let my daughters "go" in order for them to develop the independence they would need to be a healthy toddler, tween, teen and adult. The simple acts of letting go by letting them walk on their own, releasing your hand from the back of the bike seat, the first day of school, having them sleep over at a friends, and learning to drive, are all mile markers to their independence. As a parent I realize this has been happening, but the realities of my daughter's drivers license reveals to me there are only three mile markers left until complete independence. I see these as graduation, college and career.
Her drivers licence test today has put a test before me. Am I going to continue to release my arm of control in her life or will I attempt to hold on? Today she took the test on her own, passed and became a driver. She's done well and I am proud of her. As she continues to drive forward toward independence, may I continue to pass the test of releasing my control. This is all part of the "great adventure" of life and parenting. One that I have passed through and one that my parents have tested out of! In the end, may I pass as well.
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