My oldest daughter will be 15 this week.... She is an amazing kid... I have so many hopes and dreams for her... I want her to be happy... Make good friends... Enjoy her high school and college years... Meet a decent man (way after college) who will love her unconditionally... I want her to know she is worthy of love.. worthy of hope.... worthy of God's love and intentions for her life.... I want her to know and feel great deep love and joy... I want her to have so much more than I did... I think every mom out there - always wants more for their children... We want our kids not to make the same mistakes we did... We want to protect them... We want them to learn from our mistakes... But - I have learned the hard way..... No matter what I say.... No matter how many lectures I give... No matter how many times I discipline... No matter how much "good" advise I give - She will march to her own drummer... She will make her own mistakes..... She will NOT learn from mine..... She isn't me.....
I have to trust that my girl knows right from wrong... I have to trust that she will try to make the right decisions when I am not looking... I have to believe that she will not always bow down to peer pressure... I have to let her go.... I have to accept that God is in control and stop trying to take that control from Him.... I have to let her spread her independent wings... Let her make her own mistakes but be there to comfort her... I will praise her when she succeeds and overcomes life's obstacles.... I will pray for her everyday... I will be here when she needs me... And I will be here even if she doesn't... I'm her mom and there is nothing that would keep me from loving her... Nothing that will stop me from supporting her.... I will always be her biggest fan.... Her strongest supporter.... Her personal prayer warrior...
You're right. You've raised her and taught her the right way. Now just keep praying!
ReplyDeleteMy oldest is 12 and I'm not looking foward to this. You are right, we can give them the best foundation but we do have to trust them to bulid the rest of the house themselves. And, they will make mistakes. I think it is wonderful that you want to give her wings, yet still be there if she falls, that's all we can do as they get older. Great post! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteToday must be a 'thinking of our girls' day! Happy Birthday soon to your daughter. She is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteShe's gorgeous...and I feel the same way about my almost 15 year old daughter too...beautifully put Mom!
ReplyDeleteIt's so hard to let them go, and they're bound to make mistakes along the way. Fortunately, they usually learn from and don't repeat those mistakes, especially if there's been a solid foundation laid for them, and I know you've done that!
ReplyDeleteAMEN and as a mom of 5 adults, now.....you will always be all of those things and more. We just keep praying and encouraging til the day we die.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
andrea
Life ebbs and flows with your kids, once you survive the teen years, you find you can be less their parent and truly be more friends.
ReplyDeleteBeautifully expressed Kelly. You speak so eloquently of the tug and pull on our heartstrings as parents. You are a great mama!
ReplyDeletebeautiful and inspiring post.
ReplyDeleteI am sure she won't disappoint you!!!
Don't you just wish you could go everywhere, be everywhere with her. I find it so hard to let go.
ReplyDeleteBut you are right - we can only hope we taught them well and that those teachings will follow them. Even when we're not there.
Tears.
xo
babymama
this is a lovely post. In the end, i think what matters is that we love them, pray for them, and trust that they'll make right choices. :)
ReplyDeleteSuch a lovely post. I agree with all of your last paragraph.
ReplyDelete