We're in this stage. What I find interesting is that I feel like I'm FINALLY used to being a parent 18 years later... and now he's graduating.
I have a really close bond with my boys. They still ask for tuck-ins and to play. I like them as humans, not just because they are my kids.
And now... I am experiencing the reverse of Ainsworth's strange situation experiment: it feels strange that I am the one facing being 'left'. It is a curious time to be thinking about shifting nest occupancy.
I enjoy witnessing my adolescents entering new phases of individuation, I suppose we are always in transition... there's just something about adolescence as the launching pad into the rest of life.
I know my role is changing: "Parents of grown children can serve as scouts and advance troops who are always traveling further along life’s path" is such a great line!
And, in a post-age of information age, our youth serve as scouts and advance troops for those iof us who are native analogue.
Great to see you here on Substack LL! Thanks for reading and commenting!
As the father of two boys, I can resonate with everything you are saying. I will always miss those intimate days now that they have flown, which is a good sign of our good and enduring connection.
There's a deep wisdom operating in the workings of Life. After all, Mother Nature had almost 4 billion years to acquire it. Humanity comparatively are adolescents- but we are fast learners. What day you Baird? What stage is Humanity in? I'm not sure.
"The real problem of humanity is the following: We have Paleolithic emotions, medieval institutions and godlike technology. And it is terrifically dangerous, and it is now approaching a point of crisis overall." -- E.O. Wilson
We're in this stage. What I find interesting is that I feel like I'm FINALLY used to being a parent 18 years later... and now he's graduating.
I have a really close bond with my boys. They still ask for tuck-ins and to play. I like them as humans, not just because they are my kids.
And now... I am experiencing the reverse of Ainsworth's strange situation experiment: it feels strange that I am the one facing being 'left'. It is a curious time to be thinking about shifting nest occupancy.
I enjoy witnessing my adolescents entering new phases of individuation, I suppose we are always in transition... there's just something about adolescence as the launching pad into the rest of life.
I know my role is changing: "Parents of grown children can serve as scouts and advance troops who are always traveling further along life’s path" is such a great line!
And, in a post-age of information age, our youth serve as scouts and advance troops for those iof us who are native analogue.
Great article BB!
Great to see you here on Substack LL! Thanks for reading and commenting!
As the father of two boys, I can resonate with everything you are saying. I will always miss those intimate days now that they have flown, which is a good sign of our good and enduring connection.
Wishing you all well with the launching(s). ✌️
There's a deep wisdom operating in the workings of Life. After all, Mother Nature had almost 4 billion years to acquire it. Humanity comparatively are adolescents- but we are fast learners. What day you Baird? What stage is Humanity in? I'm not sure.
"The real problem of humanity is the following: We have Paleolithic emotions, medieval institutions and godlike technology. And it is terrifically dangerous, and it is now approaching a point of crisis overall." -- E.O. Wilson
Yes, Alain de Botton said something similar. Chilling.
It's a wonder any of us are willing to become a parent when we understand how much is at stake!
Ignorance is bliss ... and then the reckoning!
The longer I live and (maybe) learn, the more awestruck I am by the woman's lot in life. Heroic and hugely under-appreciated.
And full of guilt, no matter how and what you do!
Heavy sits the crown.