But, how?

How do you let your children grow up and leave?  How is it okay that they want to move on and start their own life?  {even though we will be paying a healthy premium for that independence?)

When we brought Maddy home from the hospital, John and I were slightly stunned, and frankly surprised, that they let us just take her home.  They ensure that you have a car seat and a pediatrician, but other than that, you are on your own, Bucky.

It was the same with all of those milestones along the way:  Nursing, transitioning foods, sleep-training, crawling, walking, going to Kindergarten, learning to ride a bike, teaching about the Birds and the Bees. You just have to figure it out.  You are in this boat and whether it sinks or floats is all up to you. 

With the help of:

Prayer, parenting books, and LOTS of chocolate.

And now we face the dreaded exciting Graduation Day. Graduation from high school, graduation from Seminary, graduation from living at home full-time...

Again I ask:  But, how do you let them leave?  How do you just stand by when they happily make their plans to fly the coop?   pick their classes? dorm room? meal plan?  How do you let them pack their bags? Is is too dramatic to say that it feels like my heart is being ripped out by that guy in the Indiana Jones movie? 

I guess you just do it.

You do it because you want them to be happy and you are glad that they got good grades, are confident,  can make decisions, and have a plan for their life.

You do it because what is the alternative?

Unemployed?  in Greenland??  {sorry, Princess Bride keeps coming to mind...}

But really. 

I would be very disappointed if Maddy didn't have the confidence and smarts to go on to college and pursue her dreams.

I would be sad if she were sad to leave me {sniff, sniff} behind and was afraid to take the jump into her own life.

So, what is this post about?

Whining, mostly.

and being a proud Momma.

But mostly whining. {sigh}