Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6
Well it’s happened. My baby, my firstborn turned 18 in December. Someone once told me that the days are long but the years are short. I think when you’re in the throws of parenting toddlers it’s hard to imagine that the years are short because the days are hella long. But now, as we are in his Senior year of high school, he’s 18 and heading off to college in the fall, I think about that phrase a lot and it’s so true.
Three weeks before Connor turned 18 he sat me down and announced that there was no way he could finish all the merit badges he needed to complete his Eagle Scout requirements. He has been a scout since he was six years old, completed the mandatory Eagle project and when he told me this I sobbed my brains out. I have listened to the wise advice of parents who had gone before me….the ones who told me there were valuable lessons in letting your child fail. I absolutely believed this until it came to the failure of my son. The fact that he had come so far….to climb the rope and slide back down without ringing the bell…was NOT okay!!! I contacted the Scout Master and by the Grace of God, he rallied the troops and these amazing men came alongside my son and dragged him over the finish line. He had his board of review on his 18th birthday and passed. We are now planning his Eagle Court of Honor ceremony.
I realize that I’m less important to him in the mundane day to day living. I’m painfully aware that he wants my opinions and views less and less. I’ve heard “I’m an adult now” more times than I can count. While I appreciate and accept his autonomy as he finds his way in this world I want Connor to know that I’m always there for him. I’ll always be his biggest cheerleader and right or wrong I’ll drag him across that finish line myself when I think he needs the “W.”
A new year, a new decade, change…growing pains for both of us and I learn to let go and he learns to fly. By the way…we were playing a game last night at a family birthday party and you had to name your biggest accomplishment. He said his was getting his Eagle Scout. #proudmama
Kristin Lehr 