The time has come. The time you knew would come when you put them on the bus for their first day of Kindergarten. You’ve thought about this a few times throughout the years, but to be honest, some days it felt like a million years away, but you are now graduating your child from school. For many of you, you are graduating them from home.
Your job as a parent is changing. You are no longer deciding for them; you’re guiding them. You are no longer requiring obedience; you’re hoping for honor.
These can be tricky times in learning how to let go and watch them become an adult.
Have conversations about what they really want to do with their life. Have conversations about the importance of being in church and walking closely with the Lord. Have conversations about choosing friends and relationships with people striving for that as well. Reminisce about fun family memories and guarantee there will be more to come. Encourage them to start dreaming about memories they’d like to create with their families one day.
Some parents fall into the camp of “YES! THEY’RE FINALLY LEAVING” and some fall into the camp of “WHY?!?! HOW CAN THIS BE HAPPENING? I WANT THEM TO LIVE IN MY BASEMENT FOREVER!” Whatever camp you are in, celebrate with your student. They’ve been waiting for this day for a long time. If they feel apprehensive or not, they need to know you believe in them and believe they can do this. Cheer them on. Be there for them. Pray for them.
There will always be regrets in parenting but rest assured there are no perfect children and no perfect parents. Your time, love, and care will pay off. Your prayers for your children will last forever, so never let go of that part of the job.
Arianna Eckart
Director of NTS Camp
📸 Photo by Leon Wu on Unsplash