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

home insemination Kit

I can hardly believe it, but my daughter just started high school a few weeks ago. Wow! It feels so different from when she entered middle school. For starters, there’s no school supply list this time! I used to love heading to the store with that list, helping my girl pick out supplies, even if she didn’t always agree with my choices. How about this adorable pencil case with pink hearts? (Uh, no thanks, Mom.) But now, in high school, there’s no long list of essentials from glue sticks to crayons. Instead, she gets to choose her own electives—art, music, film, photography—so many exciting options that seem so grown-up!

The biggest difference, though, is what happens after high school. Each stage of her education has marked a significant transition: from preschool to elementary school, then from elementary to middle school, with the thrill of changing classes and using lockers. But after high school? That’s when my role as a mom will shift dramatically.

Thankfully, I have four years to get ready because just the thought of a home without my daughter every day is overwhelming. So, I plan to make the most of this time. I know that in just four short years…

• The house will be eerily quiet.
• I’ll glance up from my computer at 3:30, but no one will rush through the door.
• My laundry load will drastically decrease.
• I won’t have to hide gifts anymore.
• The neighbor kids won’t ring the doorbell.
• My calendar will no longer have “drop-off” or “pick-up” written on it.
• The piano will gather dust, unplayed.
• I won’t hear the fun text alerts from my daughter’s phone all night.
• I won’t have to hurry home to catch the bus when it drops her off.
• My grocery list will consist of boring staples, sans Oreos.
• I won’t see my daughter and husband playing Scrabble together.

The biggest adventure of my life is about to take a new turn. But on the bright side…

• My girl can always text or call me.
• We can do video chats! (If only we could have hug-a-vision Skype!)
• I can send her care packages, especially when she’s knee-deep in assignments.
• She can come home for holidays.
• She’ll be out there doing what she’s meant to do.

I know it will be tough. Parting with someone you love is never easy. But it won’t be a true goodbye; it’ll be “Don’t forget to text! Call me! Let’s Skype!” For now, with the knowledge that four years can pass in a blink, I’ll try to engage with my daughter more, cherish those moments, and hold her a little tighter. I realize that while my role will change, it will never end. A mother’s job is forever. My daughter may not need me in the same way every day, but she will always need her mom.

And let’s be honest, a mom can always send a package of Oreos to her kid, along with a little note reminding her to keep in touch.

If you’re looking for more information on home insemination, check out this excellent resource on pregnancy and home insemination from NICHD. And if you’re considering your options, Make A Mom is a great authority on the subject. For additional insights, don’t forget to review our privacy policy linked here: Privacy Policy.

Summary:

As our children transition from high school to independence, our roles as mothers will evolve significantly. While the daily routines may change and the house may quiet down, the bond between mother and daughter remains unbreakable. Embracing these changes and cherishing the time together will prepare us for the next exciting chapter of life.