Today is Monday.
This is what I was supposed to do today: Take the morning off to accompany the Roo-girl to school and get her all registered and paid up (extra fees, not tuition) for her sophomore year in high school.*
This is what I actually will do today: Go to work as usual.
This is what I am doing now: Sitting morosely with my laptop.
Why? Because instead of waiting to go to today's registration day with me, she went with her friends last week and did it on her own.
I feel a little bit like a broken record both here and on my own blog as I watch my youngest grow up faster than I want her to.
Of course the goal is to raise the baby bird and nurture her wings so she is strong enough to fly from the nest.
But oh, it does hurt the mama bird.
It's a little like the toddler days, only in reverse.
When a child is 2, she goes through that get-away-from-me-wait-come-back-get-away-come-back stage as she tests out her independence with one hand firmly attached to her mom's pant leg.
When a child is 15, mom goes through that aren't-you-ready-to-leave-home-yet-MY-BAYBEEEE stage as she looks forward to some time for herself with one hand firmly attached to the back of her daughter's shirt as she lurches toward adulthood.
So ... I look with amazement at the independent young lady I am preparing for the future.
And a little piece of me dies inside.
*For my outside-of-the-U.S. friends, that's the second year of secondary school: 10th grade (of 12).
This is what I was supposed to do today: Take the morning off to accompany the Roo-girl to school and get her all registered and paid up (extra fees, not tuition) for her sophomore year in high school.*
This is what I actually will do today: Go to work as usual.
This is what I am doing now: Sitting morosely with my laptop.
Why? Because instead of waiting to go to today's registration day with me, she went with her friends last week and did it on her own.
I feel a little bit like a broken record both here and on my own blog as I watch my youngest grow up faster than I want her to.
Of course the goal is to raise the baby bird and nurture her wings so she is strong enough to fly from the nest.
But oh, it does hurt the mama bird.
It's a little like the toddler days, only in reverse.
When a child is 2, she goes through that get-away-from-me-wait-come-back-get-away-come-back stage as she tests out her independence with one hand firmly attached to her mom's pant leg.
When a child is 15, mom goes through that aren't-you-ready-to-leave-home-yet-MY-BAYBEEEE stage as she looks forward to some time for herself with one hand firmly attached to the back of her daughter's shirt as she lurches toward adulthood.
So ... I look with amazement at the independent young lady I am preparing for the future.
And a little piece of me dies inside.
Yeah, we do our jobs so well and then feel bad when they don't need us.
Posted by: Maureen at IslandRoar | August 24, 2009 at 09:16 AM
Simply a testament to how well you've done your job, Mom!!
Remember, no matter how old or how interesting her friends are, she will ALWAYS come back to you.
Enjoy this time. I would give anything to have my soldier be Roo's age again!
Much love always,
Janet
Posted by: Janet | August 24, 2009 at 09:59 AM
LOOK how big she is! She's so grown up and gorgeous!!!!
YAY mama! xoxo
Posted by: rachel-asouthernfairytale | August 24, 2009 at 10:18 AM
Nobody tells you when you have children that letting them go is the hardest part.
Posted by: Lorena Twatwaffle | August 24, 2009 at 10:20 AM
Try to look at how successful you have been, that she was able to go out on her own. bittersweet, yes. Yet it is also a testament to what you have done well over the past 15 years. Don't worry, she'll always need her momma for something. :)
Posted by: Roger | August 24, 2009 at 10:28 AM
She is growing up to be just as amazing as you are. Which we all hope is a good thing.
Posted by: lceel | August 24, 2009 at 11:06 AM
Oh, but she is so beautiful, and with a confidence that just beams out in all directions. Good job Mom.
Posted by: Molly | August 24, 2009 at 11:32 AM
This just means you are doing YOUR job very well!
It will serve her well when she heads off to college. Oh wait, maybe I shouldn't be mentioning that word to a fragile mama bird...
Posted by: Suzanne | August 24, 2009 at 03:35 PM
Oh, honey. It's just not going to get any easier, either, is it? You have a girl to be proud of though!
Posted by: Krissa | August 24, 2009 at 06:27 PM
I understand. This week, a little part of me died as my first grader told me no kisses or hugs at school...any more, and my high schooler told me I could leave without a hug. :-( And a little part of me died. Poetic and yet so mournful....
Posted by: Carie | August 25, 2009 at 10:28 PM
I'm in deep, deep trouble.
Posted by: Janet | September 02, 2009 at 10:49 AM