Proverbs 22:6King James Version (KJV)
6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
Train him up and let him go. I can do this. I know that I have always raised my son according to our faith and the values I hold highest in my life. Yet as the time to send him off to college came closer I began to worry, wonder and even question if I had done enough. Was he ready? Was I ready? I think my biggest fears were that I hadn’t made him aware of who he was and his potential enough to help him avoid the pressure from others around him. I wanted to be sure that no matter what he stayed true to himself and the lessons I’d taught him.
That last night at home was full of last minute laundry, packing and check lists. Still I took a moment with him. I wanted to let him know what my fears were and that in spite of them I knew that because of how I raised him, the values my Hubby and I had placed in him I still knew he could do this. He asked questions, I answered. I told him everything I could think he may need to know and even spoke on the tops I didn’t really want to (ya’ll know what I mean…lol). I told him he could always call me when he needed me and that No. Matter. What. I was here for him always.
Then the day arrived. Drop off and check in day. We talked. We laughed. We shared. I knew it was going to be okay. The pressure was lighter. I had done my part and the rest was up to him. I had to let him go. He was ready whether I was or not.
That’s when I saw the change. I watched him interacting with his friends, his leaders and those around him and I saw the man he has the potential to be but I also saw the young man I had raised him to be. He was polite, respectful, aware and still himself. I saw him distance himself from those who were already causing chaos and I watched as he surrounded himself with his loyal friends. I saw the training. It wasn’t in vain. I could let him go.
Finding the courage to let your Teenager go and be the man you raised him to be can be difficult but not impossible. Trust me I am sure I will still have those moments where I wonder if letting him go was the right thing, the right timing, the right choice yet it is then that I can think back on his foundation, the training and know that he will be ok and even when he isn’t he has a path to return to.
Have you ever questioned your choices as a parent?
How have you reassured yourself?
Do you have a Teenager heading for a new stage in life?
What preparation have you made to help them?
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18 thoughts on “Train Him Up and Let Him Go…”
This post gave me anxiety!! I am a long way from sending my kids off to college, but I can already know I will wonder the same thing.. if they are 'ready' it looks like you raised a great man and I am sure he is ready for anything! (also how do you have a teenage and look so young?? Give me your genes!!) 😉
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Oh No! So sorry…don’t be worried. I think we all worry but I think it just proves that we are doing the right things and making the right choices…
HAHA! Thanks so much! I’m just hoping my genes last for a long time to come 😉
Letting go can be one of the most difficult things a parent can go through, but it's the most necessary in order for a child to continue growing.
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So very true Heidi! I had to get to that place in my heart even though in my head I already knew that… 😉
Hats off to you for being a great mom! I think letting go is the hardest part and you did it right!
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Thanks so much…it was harder than I expected but I know it\’s for the best.
I'm already panicking about this…and he's only six. Ha!
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Hahaha… that’s a bit early Kristin, you still have time :). It isn’t that bad…but I have my moment…lol
I question myself everyday. but i think in the end, the fact that we are so conscious of trying to raise our children right will be the reason we succeed! That and prayer girl!
I think we all do but yes you are so right. The fact we worry and try so hard proves we are doing it right…that and our children themselves 🙂 Yes, prayer is always my number 1 tool and resource.
You did great mamma! I question myself daily but I think any good parent does. I have 3 sons and 1 daughter its hard to go day to day and NOT worry about if you are doing it all right. I think you just have to sit back and wait.
Thank you! You’re right, sometimes we just have to wait and see what they do with what we’ve taught them.
I know from time to time, I question myself as a parent, but I'm only doing what I think is best. I like to think I'm doing a pretty swell job, but then again they're all not teens yet, ask me again in 5-10 years, I'll have a different answer, lol.
I think having a bit of healthy doubt is a good way to stay aware. In the end we all do the best we can and hopefully our kids are the proof of that. LOL – I\’m sure you\’ll be just as good in 5-10 years 🙂
Bittersweet! You did good mama!
It really was. Thanks Lovie! xoxoxo
There are times when I question and doubt myself as a parent, especially if you consider my life's choices and my story. The divorce, moving to another continent, then coming back, trying very hard to make our blended family a successful one… Then moments like the ones I described in the post about dodge ball make me realize I must be doing something right.
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I think we al have those moments but the times when we get glimpses of our hard work taking root makes it all worth it. I have made a lot of choices that I thought would have so many different impacts of my Kiddies but I\’ve learned that if I love them through it all we can get through almost anything. Thanks so much for coming by Ana and sharing with me 🙂