My oldest child is my daughter, Tyler, age 10. She is bright, beautiful, funny, and very affectionate. I see so many elements in her character that I admire. She is still in the "age of innocence" and God knows I want her to hold onto that as long as she can.
Right now, she's wrapping up her elementary school years this month, and come August, she will be enrolled in Middle School. (Where does the time go?!!). As is typical of most mothers preparing their child for big transitions, I've found myself sometimes going overboard trying to stress various points and principles to her. I can sometimes see in her face that unexpressed "Mama, pleeeaaassse! I know, I know!!" But I can't seem to help myself. The Mama Bear just seems to come out of me whenever I think about all that pre-teens are exposed to so soon these days. Yet I find comfort and control over my flesh when I remember that her father and I are raising her up in the way that she should go, and God promises that when she is old she won't depart from it. My faith is quickened by that, and somehow, deep down, I know that she will be alright. I also know that we won't know if she's learned the lessons if she is never given the tests.
While I do want her to grow up and become the young woman that God desires her to be, I have to fight myself constantly to release control and allow her to make her own mistakes and connect with God in her own personal way. I guess as she goes to the next level of maturity, I have to transition to the next level of parenting. It's not easy.... but I know God is able and she and I will both be alright!
Any other Mamas feelin' the stretch out there?
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