Here’s to a year of growth, independence, and the next chapter

As the summer days slowly fade, the realization hits me: The Boy is about to start his junior year of high school. It feels like just yesterday he was that little boy refusing to remove his hat in preschool.

Now, he’s taller than me, with opinions and ideas completely independent of mine. This year feels different. There’s a sense of anticipation, not just because it’s a milestone year, but because I’ve decided to let him take the reins more than ever.

We’ve always had a close relationship, built on trust and communication, but as he steps into these final years of high school, I see the importance of giving him more control over his life. It’s not just about choosing classes or deciding not to play football for the first time in three years; it’s about letting him make decisions that affect his future, choices, relationships, and even his body.

This summer, we had some deep talks about what he wants out of this year. The Boy surprised me with his thoughtfulness. He’s decided to take on more challenging classes. He’s learning that self-care is just as important as academic success, a lesson I wish I had grasped at his age.

One of the biggest shifts has been letting him have more say in his daily routine and even his health. For years, I managed most of his appointments, diet, and activities, but now he’s stepping up and making those calls. “Ma, I can’t believe you scheduled a dentist appointment for my birthday!” So now he’s setting his schedule, deciding how to manage his time, and even making more conscious choices about what he eats and how he stays active. The Boy finally figured out that deodorant and a few fewer squirts of cologne were just right, too!

I often have to fight the urge to jump in with advice, to remind The Boy of things I think are important. But I’m learning to pause, to let him figure things out on his own. There are moments when I see him struggle, and my heart aches to step in and fix things. My sister and friends remind me that these moments of frustration or even failures are just as necessary as the successes. They teach him resilience and how to adjust to get back on track with little guidance.

As we prepare for this new school year, I feel a mix of excitement and a little sadness. My little boy is growing up, and while part of me wants to hold on to those earlier years, I’m also incredibly proud of the young man he’s becoming. This year, I’m not just sending The Boy off to school; I’m watching him take a big step into his future, one where he has more control over his life and choices. I am also learning from The Boy. I’m learning how to trust, how to let go, and how to support him as he navigates his future. I can’t wait to meet the man he’s becoming right before my eyes!

I am looking forward to a year of growth, independence, and the next chapter of our journey together.