Dear parents,

Please, loosen the reins. Let your children go, and
Do,
Explore,
Touch,
Listen,
Feel,
React,
Connect,
Dance,
Swim,
Sail,
Fail,
Climb,
Love,
Try,
Write,
Sing,
Draw,
Learn,
Understand,
Clarify,
Reach,
And Grow.

Start young. Allow your children experiences in others’ homes.
Then talk about—
How do other families show love, use discipline, or communicate?
How would we prioritize the values of our home?
Do we reflect that?

Teens crave independence. Let them travel alone, in groups from their schools, or with organizations volunteering.
Then talk about—
How do other cultures and communities show love, use the law, or communicate?
How would we prioritize your hometown’s values?
Do we impact that?

Twenty somethings need to fly.
Let them soar.
Their eyes will see for themselves.
Ears will listen.
Awareness will become natural.
Mindfulness will help them thrive.
Empathy will grow.

Then, let them talk about it.
Ask questions.
Passions will be born.
Majors,
Minors,
Careers shaped.

The future will be alive with people who
Do,
Explore,
Touch,
Listen,
Feel,
React,
Connect,
Dance,
Swim,
Sail,
Fail,
Climb,
Love,
Try,
Write,
Sing,
Draw,
Learn,
Understand,
Clarify,
Reach,
And Grow.

Because of you.
You loosened the reins.
They learned to walk, trot, and gallop on our earth’s fields and—

Be Free.
Be True.
Be One.
Care.

Thank you.
Have a hard time letting go? Feel like a helicopter parent sometimes? Me too. Notice that I did not suggest buying your kid a backpack and locking the front door?

Yet, I do believe in loosening the reins.

Encourage the young to go outside and play with others. Try summer camps, school trips led by teachers, and talks or classes at the local library. Join anything from a knitting group to a karate class. Check out organizations in your community like the Humane Society who encourage children to serve animals and others.

Google trips for teenagers that globe trot—they are amazing learning opportunities (and help your child with those college entrance essays one day too).

We care so much about our children, and we are not alone.

If I am ever worried or overwhelmed, laughing at myself is sometimes the best medicine.
That’s why I’ve attached this video. Enjoy!

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Author: Kate Fleming
Image: Phillipe Put/Flickr
Editor: Lieselle Davidson