Kite Strings

I have sometimes felt like this parenting thing is sorta like flying a kite, just not as easy. I feel like everytime my kids reach some sort of new level of independence I have to let the kite string out a little bit more and then a little bit more. I cognitively understand the point is to let all the string out eventually, and I also know that if I refuse to let the string out it's gonna snap off anyway. Either way, the kites gonna go up and up.

Well today I had to let the string out a little bit more. Joshua left this morning for church camp at The Heights. It's his first time to go to a full fledged, over night, for 4 nights, camp. Boy was he excited!!

After almost a week of him having to listen to me say things like:

• remember to brush your teeth


• try to keep up with your stuff


• I am only an hour away if you need me


• you gotta eat well


• hang up your towel after you shower so it will be dry


• don't go near the lake without a grown up

The day arrived for him to head off, and I know that it won't matter if he doesn't brush his teeth, loses a few things, or never hangs up his towel. He is going to be just fine, and I think I will too because the kite sure is pretty the higher and higher it goes.