Our Roles as Moms Will Evolve After Our Kids Graduate High School

home insemination Kit

Wow, it’s hard to believe that my daughter just started high school a few weeks ago! This milestone feels so much different from when she began middle school. For starters, there’s no school supply list to tackle! I used to love heading to the store with that list, picking out supplies together—even if her tastes didn’t always match mine. “How about this cute pink pencil case?” (Uh, no thanks, Mom.) But now that she’s in high school, it’s all about her choosing her own electives—art, music, photography—you name it! So many options that scream “grown-up.”

But what hits me the most about this transition is what comes next. After preschool, it was elementary school—what a leap from a couple of hours to full days in first grade. Then came middle school, with the excitement of changing classes and lockers. And now, high school is here, but after that, my role as a mother will fundamentally shift.

Thank goodness I have four years to get ready because just the thought of a home without my girl every day is a lot for my heart to handle. So I won’t waste this time. In just four short years, I know things will be different.

• The house will be eerily quiet.
• At 3:30, I’ll glance up from my computer, but no one will come rushing in.
• My laundry basket will be significantly smaller.
• I won’t have to hide gifts anymore.
• The neighbor kids won’t be ringing the doorbell.
• My calendar will lack “drop-off” and “pick-up” notes.
• The piano will gather dust, unplayed.
• I won’t hear her fun text tones pinging all night.
• I won’t rush home to catch the bus drop-off.
• My grocery cart will be filled with boring items—definitely no Oreos.
• I won’t see her and her dad engaged in a Scrabble match.

It’s a big change on the horizon. But here’s the bright side: my girl can still call or text me. We can Skype—if only there was a way to send hugs through the screen! I can throw a care package her way, especially when she’s swamped with assignments. She’ll come home for the holidays, and she’ll be out there doing what she needs to do.

I know it won’t be easy. Saying goodbye to someone you love is tough. But it won’t be a permanent goodbye—just “text me! Call me!” With the speed at which time flies, I plan to interact more with her, savor every moment, and hold on a little longer. My job as a mother won’t end; it will just transform. A mother’s love is forever, and while my daughter may not need me in the same daily way, she will always have me in her corner. And I can always send her a box of Oreos along with a reminder to keep in touch.

If you’re interested in more about the journey of motherhood, check out this post on home insemination. For those considering home insemination options, Cryobaby is a great place to start. Plus, this Cleveland Clinic podcast offers fantastic insights into pregnancy and fertility.

In summary, as our kids grow and transition into adulthood, our roles as mothers will adapt. Though things will change, the bond we share will always remain strong.