From the moment a mother conceives there is an undeniable bond created and from that moment a mother will do all in her power to love and protect her baby.
A friend of mine, who recently found out she was pregnant for the first time, has written some beautiful words about a mother’s love for her unborn child. You can read them here.
The need to protect…
While raising great kids, the absolute need to protect our children is amazingly strong. We protect them from all sorts of potential danger. When they are very young we do all we can to protect them from drowning, serious falls, burns, choking, getting sick and even against starvation.
As they grow our need to protect them doesn’t waver. Any parent who has had a child in hospital because of sickness or injury will tell you they would gladly trade places with them if they could. To see your own child suffering has got to be one of the hardest things a parent has to do. It’s all consuming and at that time nothing else matters except the well-being of your child.
But …
Yes, there is a but. While raising great kids, there are many times when you have to learn to let go. And I’m the first to admit it hasn’t always been easy for me.
I remember…
…the first time my eldest son cycled to school – on his own – without my protection.
It wasn’t as if he wasn’t prepared. I’d been cycling to school with him every Friday (weather permitting) for years. So when he started High School, which was right next to his old Primary School, there was no reason why he shouldn’t be allowed to cycle the 5 kilometres by himself.
Plenty of other kids were doing it and it was mostly on pavements. He’d proved to me numerous times he knew how to safely navigate the two roundabouts and to always be on the lookout for cars backing out of driveways. He knew to look and listen constantly and go slowly through the group of people at the bus stop. And he knew to be extra careful cycling passed two ‘blind’ driveways.
So why did I feel physically sick the first day he did it? I knew the cycle to school would take no more than 20 minutes, but it was only when I hadn’t heard anything from anybody (police, school, etc) for about an hour that I finally started to relax and accept he’d got to school safely.
Of course I started feeling sick again around 3 o’clock in the afternoon when I knew he’d be getting ready to cycle home. When I heard the side gate being opened and knew he’d got home safely I managed to quickly pull myself together and welcome him home.
The days became weeks and the weeks became months, and slowly but surely I began to comfortably accept that my son was perfectly capable of getting to and from school safely – on his own – without my protection. I finally learned to let go.
By the way…
I went through exactly the same scenario three years later with my younger son.
Just one of many
Of course, the cycling to school story is just one of many situations where I’ve had to learn to let go while raising great kids. Over the years there have been numerous times, even when my boys were young. Think about the first time you left your precious baby with a non-family member baby-sitter. Or your child’s first day at school. Or their first sleep-over at a friend’s place. These were like mini letting goes, to prepare you for the bigger stuff ahead.

I recall the first time my son wanted to go surfing, just with his mates – and when he celebrated New Year’s Eve in the City, watching the Harbour Bridge fireworks, with his mates. Driving by himself after passing his driving test. Flying to Queensland with his mates on a surfing holiday. And even now at 18, going to parties, pubs and clubs.
It does get easier
I know I’ve come a long because my eldest son is currently at the snow with his mates and I’m confident and comfortable that he’ll be happy, healthy and safe.
Raising Great Kids – Letting Go
It’s been my experience that a wonderful thing happens to your kids as you gradually learn to let go. They become happy individuals, able to confidently and comfortably stand on their own two feet and take on whatever life has to offer.
As parents it’s what we want – isn’t it?
What has been your experience of letting go?
I always love to receive your comments, so let me know what your thoughts are on raising great kids and letting go.
Jan Littlehales









Most parents will have seen the effects unhealthy food can have on their children. Just think about the party they went to, where they ate sausage rolls, party pies, donuts, potato chips and cheap lollies, all swilled down with an endless supply of fizzy soft drink. Did your child come home hyper-active, cranky and rude? or maybe dazed and half asleep? Foods filled with preservatives, colorings, food enhancers and other nasty things can have that effect on children – and it’s frightening.



