It happened so fast, in the blink of an eye. It seems like just yesterday I was teaching my son to read in Prep, and he would answer a polite “Yes Mum” or “No thanks Mum” to my questions. Now he has finished Year 12 exams and is yearning for independence. His next goal is to get his driver’s licence and drive off with his friends.
The latest conversation went like this:
“What are you doing after your last exam?” asked Mum extra politely, in the hope of getting a good response.
“Going out.”
“Where?”
“Not sure exactly.”
“Can you at least tell me the vicinity?”
Silence was the response.
I think it’s time to lay down the rules of independence and new-found freedom, which includes respecting your parents by letting them know where you will be and honouring the curfew.
But what else is a parent to do? Let them go, of course, but why is it so hard?
When I got my licence about 30 years ago, end-of-year ‘schoolies’ parties were fairly tame. There were also markedly less cars on the road.
But more than just end-of-year partying fears, there are a multitude of other things I am worried about. There are now more competing worldviews at universities and in the workplace, and more online games and content to be addicted to, plus social media and cryptocurrencies. It’s a different world from when I left school.
As parents we can suggest certain things, but when they finished Year 12 exams, we no longer have the authority over our children where they need to obey us. We have to watch them grow and make their own mistakes and pray that they’d learn from that.
While I am happy that he is growing up and living his own life, something in me wants him to stop growing up. It’s often difficult for parents to ‘let go’ of their children. As mothers we like to keep our children close… most of the time. Sometimes I feel overwhelmed just thinking about all the possible scenarios of what might happen if… but then I am forgetting God.
As a parent the best thing I can do is not lecture, plead or nag, but turn to God.
Philippians 4:6 says: Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Instead of being overwhelmed by anxiety and the “what ifs”, I can turn to God in prayer.
Prayer is surrendering our lives and fears to our all-loving, all-powerful God, and leaving the outcome to Him. It’s also prayerfully giving our children to Him and His will for their lives.
Thankfully God never tires of our prayers, for which I am truly grateful.
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