Yesterday, as I was sorting through old school papers and notebooks in the basement (part of my new year’s resolution to thoughtfully thin and tidy), I came across this gem. Last year, Miss A took a childhood development course and, apparently, our family dynamics provided lots of material!
Case in point: Check out this cartoon describing a terrible case of failed launching practices. Launching, for those of you unfamiliar with the term, is the term used to describe the role parents play in the period of their child’s transition from youth to adulthood.
LOL, the cartoon speaks for itself, but I thought you might enjoy a little play-by-play commentary as well. Here goes:
Panel One:
This panel shows two parents not trusting their daughter is doing her work. They are calling her cell phone and acting all exasperated. Meanwhile, the pooch, who is most definitely our sweet Sophie, asks, “When are they going to feed me?” I love the how stylish (or not) the parents look. My husband’s shorts are hilarious and check out my hair!
Panel Two:
Meanwhile, seated her desk in her room (this, apparently, takes place during the pandemic when school was virtual), Miss A is focused the task at hand – her education. Ignored on the bedside table (as it should be) lies her cell phone which is ringing because her mother (me) is checking in to see if she is doing what she’s supposed to be doing – which she is! There’s so much humor in this little vignette. And the message is pretty clear – as parents we have trained our children to be responsible, independent human beings and we must trust them to be just that without micromanaging or hovering too much.
Miss A’s Caption:
But just in case that isn’t clear enough, Miss A has written a thorough caption. Let’s zoom in so you are sure to catch the takeaway.
And what is that takeaway for us mamas and papas? Let your children launch. Let them be responsible. Let them make mistakes and learn and grow. In other words, hard as it might be sometimes, step back and let them take flight! Thank you, Miss A, for this reminder (and for letting me share it today.)
Happy soaring, all!
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Laura Sassi Tales 
Ha, ha!! We had some of those moments, too. Apparently I was loud one day when my daughter was taking a test… which I’m not usually, but the timing was impeccable that day. Fun post!
Oh, I can TOTALLY relate!
Miss A’s family cartoon is brilliant. She’s good at distilling a point, which is what good cartoonists do.
Oh, I will let her know. She had fun creating it.
Miss A has captured a common challenge for us all and with cute humor!
Indeed, she has. She’s delighted so many have enjoyed her cartoon.