It’s a theme that comes round every now and then…
Being a mother is a lesson in letting go! So this is a message for mothers letting go…..
This commitment is from my heart. And here is a chapter of it…
Letting Go
Legally, parents are given the responsibility for the care and control of their children.
There is quite an attack against this principle, with a move by some to limit the rights and role of parents. But so far, this basic principle still exists in the western world.
Gradually, in the lifespan of a child, the parent encourages and allows a child to make his or her own decisions on age appropriate choices. Bit by bit, we release them to make choices: which juice? which outfit? which extra curricular activities.
Allowing children to make choices is part of the “letting go” process for us as mothers. Children need opportunities to make choices because this is how any of us learns how to weigh up information and how we develop healthy independence. Making decisions is part of growing up.
And letting go is part of mothering.
Off to university
My son has gone off to university. I’m excited for him. I’m also a little sad because I see much less of him. We talk on the phone weekly, we text more than that, and we are well-connected as people, respecting and trusting one another, knowing each wants the best for the other, and learning to love one another in a new way.
What will life be like on my own?
The letting go process is just as much about my life as my son’s. Step by step I make discoveries and adjustments. All is well. But I want to highlight this “season” of change because all of us, from time to time, face major changes…. As mothers, let’s be aware that the changes our children make effect us too.
We need to let our young people go…. We celebrate with them as they venture into the world, trusting that we’ve trained them up and trust they will not depart from what they’ve learned, that they will stay right and true to their values.
As parents, we need to find ourselves new things to focus on, new interests and people, and to continue to live a full and interesting life. We need — again — to surrender and entrust our children to their futures. For me personally, that means surrendering my son to GOD.
Letting go is a part of life, a part of parenting, a part of our journey toward fulfilment and joy. Releasing our children gives them the opportunity to experience that same fulfilment and joy themselves as well.