Holding On and Letting Go

While eating dinner last night, I had an interesting conversation with my children (H was away at class). S said he'd like to be an Independent when he grew up. I believe this stems from our recent conversation on George Washington and his views of political parties. I am a Republican; I think everyone here knows that. D told S that if he wasn't a Republican, Mommy would be mad at him. She was laughing and joking but I became very serious. I would never do that and I made sure they understood that. D said she knew I wouldn't; she was just playing around. I said, "Let's not play like that."

It's hard being a parent. You want to pass on your beliefs and values but at some point you realize that your children are people independent of you and they are possibly going to travel down a path you'd never choose. You have to know when to hold on and when to let go. I hope I'll always know which to do.

Along these same lines are this quote from Cindy Sheehan:

I begged Casey not to go. I told him I would take him to Canada. I told him I would run over him with a car, anything to get him not to go to that immoral war.

I have a lot of sympathy for Mrs. Sheehan. It would break my heart to lose one of my children. However, I think a 24 year old man is of an age and stage of life where a parent has to let go. At 24, I had been to college, had been married for 5 years, had two children, owned a house, etc. If you can vote, marry, drink, and serve your country, I think it is time for Momma to cut the apron strings.

Some readers may not agree with my opinion; however, please remember to play nice. This is, after all, my tea party and I reserve the right to send guests home without cake and ice cream.

Thanks to Powerline for the quote and link.

P.S. I just love [insert sarcasm] when people claim Washington was a Federalist. Do people not read our historic documents? I guess not.