Friday, June 27, 2008

Keeping the Big Picture in Mind

When a baby is born, she is completely helpless. She depends on her parents for her every need. You must feed her, bath her, change her, comfort and entertain her. All this you do gladly, for she is the most precious thing in your life. She is your child.

As she grows she becomes more and more independent. It starts with little things. She learns to talk and walk and is soon getting into everything. She learns to feed herself and go to the bathroom by herself and she most definitely learns the meaning of the word no!

As time goes on, it may seem as though life is nothing but a continuous struggle with your child. She longs for her independence. You don’t want her to grow up so fast. She can’t wait to go to High School, to drive a car, to leave for college. You wish she could just stay this little forever.

Parenting is a tough job. While we start out in complete control of our children’s lives, gradually we must learn to relinquish that control, just as they must learn to take care of themselves. It’s easy to be saddened by this transition. We mourn the days of family outings and togetherness. We see this as an end, rather than a beginning. But that’s exactly what it is – a beginning!

It’s the beginning of your child’s life as an adult. It’s a celebration of all that you have taught your child and all the memories you have helped to create. If you’ve done your job as a parent correctly, your child will be completely independent and able to thrive without you. You can look forward to a new relationship with your adult child. You will have done your job well.

5 comments:

Carma Dutra said...

Theresa, letting go of our children is a hard thing to do. Although we know it is for the best I think we parents know too much because no one could have told us about life either. Nice blog. This is a great focus. Parents are too busy these days and need all the help they can get.

T. Forehand said...

Hi, I like your blog and know from experience it is much needed for parents in all stages of parenting. Looking forward to reading more information and insight.
Terri
terri.forehand@gmail.com

Judy said...

Theresa,

Oh my - you captured so much in your last blog. I could relate to every word. Since I am a grandma now, I have gone that one step further. Besides the joy of our grandson, there is so much pride for my daughter and how well she has managed a difficult life.
I will visit again soon. Take care,
Judy

Dorit Sasson said...

I look forward to learning some advice and tips and just learning how to chill on this great journey of parenting.

Even with my three year old, I find the concept of letting go so apt as the little guy struggles for his independence and opens the refrigerator for the third time in a row! (What will happen when he's thirteen, yee-gads!)

Great blog and idea you've got going here. I'm coming back for more and will definitely recommend this blog for my mommy friends.

Lisa Kirby said...

Hi, Theresa,

This was beautiful. I've had to let go of both of my children. But now there are these wonderful grandchildren, miniature replicas of their parents. It's hard letting go of our children, but yes, we then get to experience them as adults and watch as they shape their own worlds.

Lisa
www.familyfunandfood.blogspot.com