Every Day Is Independence Dayby Kori Rodley Irons | More from this Blogger 04 Jul 2007 05:45 PM We have had a typical Independence Day around here--plenty of potato salad and a nice hot grill, not to mention a pie or two and plenty of time spent in and around the pool. As I was doing a little reading earlier today and watching the teenagers moving about, taking up so much space--it dawned on me that with parenting and family life, every day is really Independence Day... After all, the goal of parenting is to raise independent, self-supporting, caring and involved citizens. That is what we want for our kids, and even though our kids can't really articulate that--that is pretty much what they want for themselves. At this point, at least with my kids, however, all they know is that they want to be independent. They want to get out there and do things "on their own." Every time we give them a little more freedom and let them face the natural consequences of their actions; every time we loosen the reigns and allow them the space to try things out for themselves; every time that our child pushes and tugs and pulls to get out there and do something on his or her own--we are moving just a little closer to their inevitable independence. Of course, just like a fledgling and evolving nation-state, there are going to be bumps and bruises and growing pains along the way. We make mistakes, our kids make mistakes, and then they have fabulous, glorious moments of triumph too. So, as we celebrate our individual freedoms and the birth and evolution of our country, I've enjoyed a little appreciative celebration as a mother today too. After all, with my house full of teenagers (and for the past two decades since they were independence-striving babes and tots)--every day has been independence day! See Also: Stop Doing For Your Kids What They Can Do For Themselves You Know You're An Overprotective Mother When... Learn more about Kori Rodley Irons  Bio has been removed by administrator Relevantparenting tags User Comments No comments on this article yet. Be the first to comment! Community Tags independence, self esteem Discuss this article
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