You're Not The Boss Of Me

Originally when I began this blog, I wanted to add some parenting tips and experiences. I haven't done so much of that, but now is as good a time as any to talk about the many milestones parents have to muddle through with their children as they pass from one stage of life to another. When my kids were little, a knee scrape required nothing more than a hug, a spray of Bactine and a band-aid. Now that my children are approaching adulthood, problems are far more complicated and require far more strategy. My college freshman son just found out that he is on academic probation. This is not at all uncommon for new college students who are learning to balance school with a social life and laundry. I only wish there were some easy answers as to how to guide him through this difficult time, but really this is where I need to step back and let him manage his own life. He may not succeed. Maybe this college isn't the right one for him, but he has to determine that for himself. As a mom, I've had to force myself to step out of my micro-managing role and allow him to experience the pain of falling down and having to pick himself up. Of course, we (his father and I) will always support him as long as he does his level best to achieve his goals, but we've learned the hard way too and now, so must he.