Being a parent is a matter of great pride and responsibility. Little children are completely dependent on their parents.
They need to be supported when they walk, lest they fall; fed or else they’d go hungry; bathed and cleaned. Then a day arrives when they are all grown up, that is the time we need to learn to ‘let go’ of them.
It’s time they learn from their experiences by trial and error. Our little babies are all grown up and we no longer need to catch them when they fall. It’s time for us to stand at a distance, see them fall and learn to stand up on their own. It’s time we see the little pupa grow into a butterfly with beautiful wings.
We no longer need to carry them for they have learnt to fly. However, we need to assure them of our unconditional love, tell them that they have a home to come back to if they ever fall, thus, giving them wings and roots at the same time. It’s a pity that some of us refuse to let go of our children. We continue to maintain an iron grip on their lives. We do not let them grow wings for we fear losing them. We do not believe in letting them cross hurdles, fall and learn. We remove all hurdles in their way so they never face difficulties or learn the ways to overcome them. Thus, a grown-up, ill-equipped, individual, unaware of the ways of the world, enters the society.
It’s my belief that over-concerned, over-protective parents cause more harm than good. That does not mean abandoning the child to his or her own devices at all times. Stand at a distance, watch them, and let your love support and nurture them.