Care

The other day I was talking to one of my children when they said, "Mom, don't take this the wrong way, but I think I'm old enough to solve my own problems now." And I gotta be honest, it rocked me a little bit. It took me a few days to fully process that line and what my feelings were around it. It's what we want, right? We want to raise them to be independent and mature enough handle their own lives without our constant input and help. We're so thrilled when they can buckle their own seatbelt, tie their own shoes, make their own lunch-- one less task I have to do for them!

But each step they take is also a step away from the umbrella of care I've tried to provide over them and that shift can be so interesting for both of us. Me letting go. Them getting wet. Me being safe and warm to come back to take a break and be dry. Them stretching out again. Me loving and encouraging them to do it, to grow. Them making mistakes. Them having success. Me still loving them from further away. Me still holding them close when they need me to. Them discovering their own path. Me still knowing when I need to be a parent for them. Them teaching me. Me talking less and listening more.

Parenting, right? The best laboratory for learning love.