I watched from the driver’s seat my oldest son shut the passenger door and walk toward the high school entrance for freshman orientation.

My eyes shut and opened, and the scene changed.

Instead, I saw a small blond-headed kindergartner proudly sporting his Captain America backpack turn to make sure he caught my eye. He lingered, smiled, and waved. Then I blinked again and was back to watching a 6’1’’ freshman’s back getting smaller.

It felt strange.

RELATED: Dear Young Moms, This Time Goes Faster Than You Could Ever Imagine

I’d never not gone with him to see him meet his teachers, find his classrooms, and unpack his school supplies in his locker. From kindergarten to 8th grade, bustling around the school with other parents and their students is the only norm I knew.

As I observed my son gather with his peers outside the main door, unexpected big emotions swirled. But how exactly did I feel? It was hard to pinpoint: Disappointment that I can’t go with him? Pride that he’s becoming independent? Disbelief that I’m old enough to have a high school kid?

My muddled feelings, though, pointed me to this truth: my role as a parent just changed. I just took a new place in his journey—a few steps back.

I know these next four years will be important years with big life lessons. To grow and mature he needs to learn to navigate his path with independence. But still, I catch my breath at this change.

RELATED: It Isn’t Easy To Say Goodbye To the Little Boy I Raised

Because I know people are going to hold his heart who don’t deserve it. Yes, he will make solid lifelong friends, but these years are when his peers are figuring themselves out, too. So, sometimes he’ll be overlooked or mistreated or not cherished the way I’d like to see, and it’s all a part of growing up. He’ll learn the value of true friendships and how to navigate the social scene.

However, as he maneuvers through peer relationships, even though my role has changed, he’ll still need me. And I’ll be waiting—simply a few steps back.

I also know expectations are higher. Grades count. ACT scores stick. Teams start cutting. Clubs do adult things like build robots and give speeches. In it all, he’ll start figuring out his skill set and interests and direction. Then, everyone will be asking where he wants to go to college and what are his post-graduation plans—he’s going to experience a new kind of pressure.

However, as he maneuvers through learning about himself and finding direction, even though my role has changed, he’ll still need me. And I’ll be waiting—simply a few steps back.

Responsibilities grow. From getting a job to learning to drive, he learns to manage more. His schedule becomes his charge as the school staff and coaches and bosses communicate with him and not me. In these years, he’ll get a glimpse of adulting.

However, as he learns to get organized and manage heavier responsibilities, even though my role has changed, he’ll still need me. And I’ll be waiting—simply a few steps back.

There will be joy and struggle. He’ll find success in unexpected ways, and his confidence will grow. But also, he’ll mess up and be disappointed. And sometimes, I will draw the line on important things and say “no” to remind him who he is—a good kid growing into a good man. I will also get to cheer him on and tell him how he makes me so proud.

RELATED: ‘Your Son Growing Up Will Feel Like the Slowest Breakup You’ve Ever Known’ Aches in Every Mother’s Heart

As he goes through the highs and lows of the teen years, even though my role has changed, he’ll still need me. And I’ll be waiting—simply a few steps back.

Just like in elementary and middle school, the homework assignments and practices and homecomings and evenings-with-friends-over will all tick by so fast. I’ll blink, and he’ll be in a cap and gown receiving his diploma.

But, I’m not there yet, I’m sitting here in the car at the start of this journey. My hands maneuvered the steering wheel out of the drop-off zone. Even though I began inching away, a piece of my heart stayed. And mourning for that little boy and his Captain America backpack flashed through me.

RELATED: To the Mom Who Just Dropped Her Kids Off at School, It’s OK To Cry

Yet, I also felt something else: gratitude

I get to be with him during these next four impactful years—what a gift!

And it’s OK that I’m a few steps back.

Originally published on the author’s blog