Letting go as our children grow.
Letting go and allowing our children to grow independently is one of the more complicated steps in parenting. It is also one of the most important things we do for our children. Nurturing their independence builds their confidence and self-esteem. Independence fosters self-reliance, allowing a child to feel that they have some control over their life.
It can be hard to let go of the daily tasks you have been doing for your child since birth. Sometimes, it’s not that we want to do everything for them, but it’s easier and quicker to find the shoes and zip the coat when rushing out the door. If the morning routine is not the time to teach them independence, choose other less busy times, such as after school or on weekends.
Letting go for a young child may include learning how to dress and get ready for school. A tween may develop independence by letting themselves into the house after school or waiting at the bus stop without a parent present. High school-aged teens may gain independence by earning their driver’s license or working a part-time job. Give your child a chance to master tasks alone and learn from mistakes.
Tips for helping parents adapt to letting go as children grow.
Acknowledge that you've done your best as a parent and that the hands-on phase of parenting does end.
Acknowledge that letting go of your child may feel uncomfortable and sad. Allow yourself the space to feel those feelings.
As your child matures, build a new relationship that is less about dependency and more about a chosen relationship between both of you.
Develop social, recreational, and self-care activities to help distract from the life-long focus of parenting your children.
https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=how-to-let-go-of-growing-kids-1-71