THE end of school for many students is finally here – a huge milestone in every youngsters life.
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When you look back, from your child’s very first day of school, the school years stretched far into the abyss, the completion of Year 12 seemed an eternity away.
Suddenly that time is upon us and for many parents they are left a bit shell-shocked, wondering where the years have flown.
Feelings for both parents and children can be bittersweet.
For those leaving for good there is the sense of achievement, relief, excitement, the thrill of the unknown and new beginnings, one step closer to adulthood and independence.
There is also the realisation that there is no going back, the finalisation that nothing will be quite the same again, changes to routine, leaving friends and loved ones, uncertainty of the future and career path, the agonising wait for school grades, potential for travel, leaving home or moving away, separation anxiety and for many parents the commencement of empty nest syndrome.
Yes. this time in one’s life can be both rewarding and challenging.
The presentation nights, debs and graduations are opportunity to share together, for celebrations, time for reflection, to recognise strengths and achievements, for fun and laughter, family photos and selfies, memories that will last a lifetime.
Every parent hopes they have provided the necessary tools and skills to prepare their child for transition into this big wide world. We have gained our life skills through experience, trial and error.
Letting our kids go can be the hardest thing any parent has to deal with.
We naturally want to love, nurture and protect. You never stop being a parent,or worrying about them and when in-laws and grandchildren come along you worry about them also.
Letting go, allowing our youngsters to flutter their wings, to go it alone, to try things out, to trust their decisions, make mistakes are all part and parcel of parenthood.
With many kids off to ‘‘schoolies’’ week, umpteen anxious parents will be waiting for that reassuring phone call, that all is well, that they miss you.
And despite the horror stories that we hear in the press, thank goodness most schoolies are fine, have a great time and come home older and wiser.
Which is more than I can say for the parents who often feel a lot older with a few more grey hairs!
Happy Parenting!