Oh my Adam. I'm a dad of four adult children and I completely agree with your thoughts. You are absolutely correct down to the emotions one feels as a parent of adults who are moving forward on their own. It is such a bundle of mixed emotions, elation at their successes, sadness at their defeats and missing them like crazy ultimately because they turned out to be people who you really like and would enjoy spending time with. But its morally courageous for parents to raise children to leave the nest knowing what that will bring to them.
And on another point I've mentioned before I applaud your teaching your son resilience. Resilience can only come from being tested, pushed beyond one's comfort zone, and challenged. This entails trying and failing and then gathering the moral courage to then get up and move forward and you have done a marvelous job. But doing that is scary, as a parent, isn't it? Scarier than jumping out of airplanes. Well done. Really enjoyed this one from one dad to another.
I'm so feeling this right now. My son will turn 19 in month and is busy with life (working and living with friends) and every time I see him I am so happy to hear about how he is learning new things and growing but feel a strange deep sadness every time we part. It's beautiful to watch them fly but I didn't expect that sadness as much as I was warned about it.
Always appreciate how you put experiences to words. God bless you and yours.
Love this! Thanks for sharing. My true joy has been watching my son navigate early adulthood. He has started his own business in the past few years and yes, that process has been such hard work and so very tough! Seeing him get respect in our community and doing the "right" thing regardless ... he is what I'd always hoped my son would be - with God's help. PTL. Proud mom and so blessed!
This is amazing! I want to do this with my future kids because I grew up with an overly anxious mother who overprotected me, and I adore her, she's wonderful! However, I'm not as independent as I would like to be. I also grew up in the most dangerous city of Latin America, it isn't anymore I think, but we had several turbulent times that only fueled my mom's fears. My partner was also overprotected and had the same issues. So I hope together we can raise brave resilient kids that are better than we are.
This is so heartwarming and empowering. Thank you, Adam.
Thank you for reading it!
I’m so proud of you! I miss him too… he was my buddy growing up…
Reading this today, on my son's 21st birthday, sure put a lump in my throat. This was absolutely beautiful. Thank you. And what a great Daddy you are!
Happy Birthday to your son! Thank you for the kind words.
God bless you and your family.
Oh my Adam. I'm a dad of four adult children and I completely agree with your thoughts. You are absolutely correct down to the emotions one feels as a parent of adults who are moving forward on their own. It is such a bundle of mixed emotions, elation at their successes, sadness at their defeats and missing them like crazy ultimately because they turned out to be people who you really like and would enjoy spending time with. But its morally courageous for parents to raise children to leave the nest knowing what that will bring to them.
And on another point I've mentioned before I applaud your teaching your son resilience. Resilience can only come from being tested, pushed beyond one's comfort zone, and challenged. This entails trying and failing and then gathering the moral courage to then get up and move forward and you have done a marvelous job. But doing that is scary, as a parent, isn't it? Scarier than jumping out of airplanes. Well done. Really enjoyed this one from one dad to another.
Thank you! I appreciate your entire comment and I'm glad to know I'm not alone.
I'm so feeling this right now. My son will turn 19 in month and is busy with life (working and living with friends) and every time I see him I am so happy to hear about how he is learning new things and growing but feel a strange deep sadness every time we part. It's beautiful to watch them fly but I didn't expect that sadness as much as I was warned about it.
Always appreciate how you put experiences to words. God bless you and yours.
I feel you. God bless you too.
Love this! Thanks for sharing. My true joy has been watching my son navigate early adulthood. He has started his own business in the past few years and yes, that process has been such hard work and so very tough! Seeing him get respect in our community and doing the "right" thing regardless ... he is what I'd always hoped my son would be - with God's help. PTL. Proud mom and so blessed!
That's awesome. Congratulations to you and God bless your family.
This is amazing! I want to do this with my future kids because I grew up with an overly anxious mother who overprotected me, and I adore her, she's wonderful! However, I'm not as independent as I would like to be. I also grew up in the most dangerous city of Latin America, it isn't anymore I think, but we had several turbulent times that only fueled my mom's fears. My partner was also overprotected and had the same issues. So I hope together we can raise brave resilient kids that are better than we are.
I'm glad you enjoyed the article and hope that happens for you too with your future children.
God bless him, and you.
Thank you!
Your son is very fortunate to have you for a father. You have given him a strong foundation to experience joy and success.
I love that, in the process of being an intentional parent, you learned to be an intentional son. I'm sure your mom appreciates it too. lol
Great piece. Thanks.