My View 6.01.08

Submitted by admin on Mon, 06/09/2008 - 17:23

I would like to start by congratulating all of the graduating classes of 2008 and their parents for their great accomplishment.

It took many years and lots of hard work for these young people to get to where they are today. And they couldn’t have done it without the support, or as my kids refer to it- the constant nagging- of their parents or guardians.

I know first hand how challenging it can be for parents of teenagers. I have an almost 14 year old son who alone can be a handful and 18 year old daughter who was among the many who graduated from high school last week.

We are now faced with the trials and tribulations of entering a new phase in our lives. I must learn how to relate to her in a more adult fashion, you might say.

She is still, in my mind, my little girl, but I know I must allow her to go out in this big world and express herself as an adult. She needs room to grow, spread her wings and find herself. It won’t be easy for me to let her go, but I know I must.

This coming week, we will be faced with something we have been dreading for awhile. The fact that she will actually be moving out is heartbreaking to my whole family. Even though she will only be an hour away, that seems too far.

She, like most her age, thinks life will be just peachy. No one to tell them what they can or cannot do, no rules or curfews, the whole “I’m free” approach to life that they’ve been waiting for their whole lives.

As adults, we all know that their presumption of an easy life will soon enough come to an end.

When August rolls around and it is time for school again, they must learn to juggle many things like studying, working, eating, washing their own clothes, finding time to socialize with family and friends and most importantly, getting enough rest.

They will soon stop and think back to how easy they once had it when they were living at home. And maybe, just maybe we will finally see some gratitude for all we’ve done for them.

I will end by saying good luck to the seniors of 2008 and to their parents, “Job well done!”.