Raising your children can be really difficult. Letting them fly is an emotional roller coaster that I’m not sure you can ever fully prepare yourself for. You spend so much time teaching and preparing them for what lies ahead. So many years are spent providing lessons that will 
allow them to reach the next level of growth.
There are many bumps that force you to help them cope with the reality of each difficult age. Things as simple as you can’t have that toy right now to as difficult as puberty (and brace yourself because the puberty years are their own post). Somehow you get through it and the child you once held in your arms is now taller than you and more than you could have ever hoped for. Every year you tell yourself this is my favorite year (yes, even through the puberty years). You love them more than the day before and wonder how it’s even possible. They make you angry and they make you sad at times but they also have an amazing ability to fill your heart with so much pride and love that you think it will burst.
Day in and day out you love them, watch them grow and worry that you aren’t doing a good enough job. You lose sleep over yelling at them for not taking out the garbage or not picking up their toys and then you realize how lucky you are that that’s all you are yelling about. You worry about what they are exposed to and how they will handle it. You try and protect them by giving them a proper amount of scary information about our world and what’s to come, but at the same time try to shelter them from too much. You hold their hand through every stage and let them know they can trust you know matter what. And then, you blink and they are ready to fly!
If you are like me you spent so much time preparing them for the world you forgot about the moment you would have to let go of their hand and send them off. I guess I didn’t really forget; I just didn’t prepare myself. I call this my sad-happy place! My oldest is now ready to fly and I have to watch him leave the nest. Everyone keeps telling me he’s a man and in my head I know that’s true but my heart tells me something different. I’m living in my sad-happy place for little while until he leaves for college. Every day these are the truths that go through my head…
I’m sad because he’s leaving and I won’t get to see him every day. I’m so happy he’s getting an education and following his dreams.
I’m happy because I get to see him grow and learn in a new way, outside the nest. I’m sad because he’s leaving.
I’m happy because I see what an amazing young man he is and I can’t wait to see what’s next. I’m sad because I won’t see him every day.
I’m happy that he has of world of adventure lying before him. I’m sad because I’m selfish.
I’m happy because he’s going to film school and it’s been his dream since he was a boy! I’m sad because I’m afraid he won’t miss me.
I’m happy because he’s brimming with excitement! I’m happy because he’s happy!
With all of that happy I’m still sad that he’s leaving. So right now I’m crying a little (and sometimes a lot), but mostly I’m staying tuned because I know there are big things in store for my boy… I mean young man! I’m happy because he’s about to fly and I know he’s ready! How did you cope when your oldest went off to to college or moved out?
I am sure he’s going to miss you! And you are definitely not selfish! You’ve done an awesome job!
Sis, I hate it that your so sad. It’s the hardest thing letting your children leave home. You never really get over it, but you’ve can be proud of the fact that you are such a great mom and have raised such a amazing son! I think it’s even harder for you because for a long time it was just you and Cam. I bet he will call you everyday and tell you all the exciting things he is doing in school.Every time you start to get sad just think of how happy he is and its all possible because…Read more »
Thanks, mom!
I can only imagine what an emotional roller coaster that would be. My oldest is 10 so I have a few more years. But like you said, I’ll blink, and that time will be right in front of me.