The feeling of being independent and letting go of control
Independence and feeling like you’re in control of your own life is liberating. No one is there to tell you to clean your room, prevent you from having ice cream for dinner, nagging you to study. You call the shots now. You decide what you’re going to do and when you’re going to do them. Along with this new-found independence is the idea of consequences. I assure you, at some point, you’re going to call home and beg your parents to just tell you what to do. Making your own decisions are both awesome and terrifying. For my mom, letting go of her full control over me was gradual. Her advice to parents would be to allow freedom long before college so your children make their own mistakes and don’t feel as if the rug was just suddenly pulled out from under them the day they leave home. Although loss of control is a frightening idea, watching your kids flourish and grow on their own is a proud feeling.
