It’s true.  Your children will grow up and they will no longer need you to wash their clothes, fix them lunch, or drive them around. But they will still need you.

They might not need you as a caretaker, chauffeur, teacher, and coach. But they DO need you as a supporter, encourager, and trusted friend. As your kids get older, learn to be a different kind of parent.

Listen, don’t tell.  This is hard to do but it’s valuable to continue to ask questions to keep your child thinking.

Be encouraging.  Growing up is tough, awkward, and filled with mistakes.  Find your voice to encourage.

Pray for them.  There are a slew of new friends, jobs, and opportunities to choose from. Pray for the right people to enter their lives and for the right doors to open/close.

Letting your children know that you’re going to be Mom and Dad no matter how old they get is an important message for them to hear.  Similar to their growth and transition into adulthood, consider what growth and transition you will experience as a parent.