It’s hard to believe, but my daughter just embarked on her high school journey a couple of weeks ago. Wow. This transition feels significantly different from when she entered middle school. For starters, there’s no school supply list in sight! I used to love heading to the store with that list in hand, picking out supplies together, even when our tastes didn’t align. Remember that adorable pencil case with the cute pink hearts? (Uh, no, Mom.) However, high school marks a shift; gone are the lengthy lists packed with glue sticks and crayons. Instead, she’s now choosing her own electives—art, music, film, photography—so many grown-up options!
What truly sets high school apart, though, is what comes after. Each educational stage has mirrored a significant leap: preschool to elementary school, where the jump to all-day first grade felt monumental; then elementary to middle school, with the thrill of changing classes and using lockers. But after high school, my role as a mother will undergo a profound transformation.
I’m grateful for the next four years to prepare because the thought of a home without my daughter in it daily is overwhelming. I won’t waste a moment during 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 PM, only to find no one bursting through the door.
- My laundry basket will dramatically decrease in size.
- I won’t be hiding presents anymore.
- The neighbor kids will no longer ring the doorbell.
- My calendar will lack “drop-off” and “pick-up” reminders.
- The piano will gather dust, unplayed.
- I won’t be bombarded with her fun text tones late into the night.
- I won’t rush home to catch the bus drop-off.
- My grocery cart will be filled with only mundane foods—no more Oreos.
- I won’t witness my daughter and husband engaged in their Scrabble battles.
The biggest adventure of my life will take a new direction. Yet…
- My daughter can still call and text me.
- We can Skype together. (If only they had hug-a-vision Skype!)
- I can send her care packages, especially during busy school weeks.
- She’ll return home for holidays.
- Most importantly, she’ll be thriving on her own.
I know this transition will be difficult. Saying goodbye to someone you love deeply is never easy. But it won’t be a true farewell; it’ll be a “Call me! Text me! Skype me!” So, as these four years zip by, I’ll strive to cherish every moment, appreciate our time together more, and hold her a little longer. While my responsibilities may change, my role as a mother is forever. A daughter will always need her mother, and a mother can always send a package of Oreos with a reminder to text.
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Summary
As my daughter enters high school, I realize that my role as a mother will soon change. While I have four years to prepare for a quieter home, I cherish our time together and recognize that my responsibilities will evolve but never fully end. A mother’s love and support remain constant, no matter the distance.