When Your Child Starts Sprouting Wings...

My daughter is a senior in high school. So, that means now we are right in the midst of college visits, college/scholarship applications, and last-minute ACT testing. In addition to all of that, she has a heavy course load at school. All of this hard work is geared toward one thing -- graduation and preparing for college. It keeps her very busy and I know, at times, she has felt a little overwhelmed. Mostly, though, she handles it with ease.

image via morgueFile

It's a pretty amazing thing to suddenly see your child at this point. She seems so grown up; organized and taking responsibility for all she needs to do. Yet, I still want her to be my baby that needs me for everything. I see her becoming a young woman right before my eyes. It's both the proudest feeling and the most heart-wrenching. I know that at this time next year, she will probably be living away at college...my girl will be living away from me. Away from me. I don't even know how I will handle that. How will I get used to the fact that this person who has been by my side for 17 years, who has made me smile on a daily basis, and makes my heart burst with love just thinking of her, will now be going out there into the world all on her own?

I did not go away to college and to this day, that's probably my one life regret. So, when I think about how sad I'll be for my daughter to be away from home, I have to tell myself what a wonderful and exciting time it will be for her - a great opportunity for her to grow and experience some independence. I want that for her. That doesn't make it any easier, though.

One thing that she has to do as a graduation requirement is a senior project. The seniors have to choose a career that they are interested in and find someone in that field to interview and job-shadow. They have to write a research paper, letters and resumes. Then, they have to put it all together into a six-minute presentation before a panel of school administrators/teachers. Besides being an oral presentation, they must also create and include some multi-media aspects, such as videos, pictures, and/or digital brochures. It's a pretty big deal and quite time consuming.

Today, my daughter is going to do her interview/shadow with a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner. She has always loved psychology but the fact that she is considering anything in nursing was a complete shock to me. I'm a former registered nurse and I just never imagined she would choose anything in the healthcare field. She may decide that it's not for her but I'm proud that she is taking the time to research and learn about it. Yet another example of my daughter growing and maturing right before my eyes.

This is a very exciting time for us and I couldn't be any more proud of my daughter. She is smart and kind and beautiful. She has a wicked sense of humor and her own unique sense of style. And, growing up in a house with three brothers, she can hold her own just fine. She is a straight-A student who works hard and has spent numerous time on various volunteer projects throughout high school. I treasure her and cherish every single thing about her. I know her future is sure to be bright and successful!

For those of you with older kids, I would love to hear how you handled it when they went away to college. (I think I will cry a lot) And, for those of you with younger children, hug them and hold them close every single chance you get. Before you know it, you will blink and find that they are growing up and getting ready to go out into the world on their own.