Letting Go Of Our Children Is Hard May 12 2012

"...lest you forget the things which your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life; but make them known to your sons and your grandsons." - Deuteronomy 4:9

I've discovered over the years that parenting is a continual process of letting go. James Dobson says, "Parents must grant their children independence consistent with their age and maturity. When a child can tie his shoes, let him. When he can walk safely to school, let him." This prepares them (and us) to leave "the nest," but it isn't always easy to do.

For many Baby Boomers, the empty nest is a constantly emerging reality. To prepare for that time, parents must remember that parenting is learning to let go and using the time we have with our children as a time of preparation for adulthood. Now, I am watching my son raise his own children and I hope that he is beginning to prepare for this eventual time in their lives.

In that light, a verse in Proverbs is a great verse to live by: "Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it." In short, the best way to be ready to let go of our kids is to prepare them to live responsible, Godly lives--on their own.