At the start of this journey, we discover a tiny human who is completely dependent on us. We learn how to care for them, and our expectations of this time change. The crying, the lack of sleep, that feeling of being bound together forever… The responsibility we have toward our child to ensure their well-being and happiness… Their sorrows and outbursts are also ours. All of this can be hard for some people to accept. Months and years go by; we grow and become more adept at our role as parents. In fact, by that point, we’ve come to terms with it and realize that it all went by too fast.
Talking, walking, eating on their own, sleeping through the night—or almost—drawing, riding a bike—our child never ceases to amaze us. Watching them play without realizing it, stepping into their world for a few moments, shedding a tear as our mother’s heart melts. Their boundless imagination, their eagerness to learn and interact with others—all of this makes us proud.
The foundation we’ve given them isn’t immediately apparent; it’s later, when they start school, that we begin to see the positive results. That’s what brings that sense of pride—and a touch of nostalgia. Yes, nostalgia for the past, when we had to help him, teach him right from wrong in all sorts of situations, and be by his side. Pride, of course, in seeing that everything is going well—he’s smiling and heading off to school in full control of himself, independent.
And then comes the sadness: did I enjoy those moments enough? I should have done so more, but reason steps in to console us—life goes on, he’s happy, and we have to be happy too. Elementary school seems to last forever, but the years fly by amid homework, sports practices, and all the other activities on weeknights and weekends.
Your child reads, writes perfectly, and does things that amaze you. Our children lead us to accept watching them grow up. And then here we are—sixth grade is drawing to a close. Just saying it feels like a big deal; you never get used to it, even though I’m about to go through it a second time.
In high school, we enter a different world—a bigger one with greater challenges on various levels. Our presence is important; our advice and our willingness to listen will have their place, because adolescence is a crucial transition for both him and us—we who must sometimes reluctantly accept letting our little one, now all grown up, spread his wings and fly on his own.