Pushed to the Sidelines as a (Foster) Parent | The Art of Letting Go
“Why don’t you talk with the principal while I check out these colleges?” he suggested, nudging me both physically and metaphorically.
We stood at his high school’s bustling college fair, with universities from across the state keen to share their offerings. My son was on a mission with his homework assignment — ask 5 questions to 5 different universities and report back.
“I want to do this with my friends,” he told me. Glancing around, I saw students in a whirlwind of excitement and confusion, many seemingly not grasping the gravity of the occasion. They were darting between stalls, their laughter mingling with the sound of brochures flipping and recruiters pitching. All the while, I couldn’t help but notice that every teenager appeared to have liberally applied deodorant, evoking memories of those pubescent days.
A surge of sadness and hurt hit me. Being the older and hopefully wiser of the two, I had hoped to guide him through this pivotal chapter. This wasn’t merely another school day; it was a determining step toward his academic future. If there was ever a time for a bit of parental input, it felt like this was it.
“Fine,” I huffed, retreating to a nearby table. My disappointment was evident. I hoped to offer guidance and see him thrive. Instead, he seemed to be pushing away.
But I caught myself.
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