Raising adult children is so… different. Different from when they were little- that’s for sure. They are not the little children that once needed me to tell them what to do. With our kids being 14-25 now, they have thoughts, plans, hopes and dreams that belong to them alone.
I love hearing what’s been going on in their minds; all the opinions being formed. At times I cringe -at other times I melt. They’re learning to evaluate for themselves. They keep and toss, they are becoming their own unique people.
Not everything, as you know has gone according to plan… actually, very little. Our kids have differed from us on likes and dislikes: music, dress, schedules and hot topics like religion and politics. But that’s ok. David and I have always wanted a relationship with God to be their personal choice and not just something they inherited.
It’s scary to let kids go off and become. It’s also difficult sometimes to watch them experiment and test ideas. It can be hard to listen with mutual respect to “opinions of the month.” We have had some great discussions that at times ended with agreeing only that we love each other and that loving others should be our number one goal.
My favorite thing is that they call me out on my stuff. They’re watching, weighing, deciding… and it helps me be honest. We as parents are pushed to say why we hold a view and sometimes we’ve to re-evaluate. I love these kids more for seeing another side of an issue. They stretch me. I admire their hearts.
If you’re surrounded by little ones, you need to know life wiIl open up Big and wonderfully through the lives of your children. It’s an amazing adventure I wouldn’t trade for anything. It will challenge all of your diplomatic skills, but it is a wonderful blessing.
ForGlorySake! -Anna
