Free shipping on all orders over $75🎄

The sweet sound of your baby’s cry pierces the air inside the delivery room. He is laid upon your chest, and as you gaze down at his delicate features you think to yourself, “I will never let you go.”

All too soon, your babe is taken from your arms to be examined, weighed, and measured. And in that moment, you learn your first lesson of motherhood:

Letting go is never easy, but sometimes it must be done.

Your 11-month-old pulls himself up on the coffee table. You reach out to steady his wobbly body, catching him before he crashes to the floor. But you know in order to learn to walk, he must take those first steps on his own. So you drop your hands to your sides and resist the urge to grab him when his little hand lifts away from the table.

Letting go is never easy, but sometimes it must be done.

Your toddler is well past middle-of-the-night feedings and being rocked to sleep. He now fills up most of your lap when you read him a story, and you notice that his hands aren’t quite as chubby as they used to be. You long ago traded the infant carrier for a regular car seat. As you pack up the last of the baby items and take apart the crib to make room for a big boy bed, you are flooded with emotion. Your heart grieves as this stage of motherhood comes to an end.

Letting go is never easy, but sometimes it must be done.

Your preschooler looks up at you with big eyes and grabs your leg as you walk into his new classroom for the first time. Even though you have been looking forward to finally having a few hours to yourself, your mind can’t comprehend how you have arrived at this place so soon. You give him an extra-long hug and then linger a few moments at the door, fighting to hold back the tears.

Letting go is never easy, but sometimes it must be done.

Your 5-year-old tugs at his backpack as he walks down the hallway toward his kindergarten classroom. He has been talking about this moment for weeks. You feel a little anxious as he takes these first steps into a world full of so many unknowns. But you greet his enthusiasm with a smile and say, “I’m so excited for you, buddy!”  

Letting go is never easy, but sometimes it must be done.

Your 11-year-old no longer wants to hug goodbye when you drop him off at school. You reach for his hand before he hops out of the car, but he pulls away. You know this is all a natural part of growing up–his evolving independence and these subtle shifts in your relationship. You still see glimpses of your little boy, but they have become few and far between.

Letting go is never easy, but sometimes it must be done.

Your 16-year-old asks for the car keys and your mind flashes back to a small boy covered in dirt, racing matchbox cars on the sidewalk and shouting, “Look how fast my cars are going, Mama!” You long for the days of matchbox cars as your teenager gives you a quick wave and drives out of sight.

Letting go is never easy, but sometimes it must be done.

Your 18-year-old stands in front of the mirror adjusting his graduation cap. You gaze over at him and can’t believe a man now stands where your little boy once stood. You close your eyes and sigh as you remember the moment he was first laid on your chest—how time stood still as your life changed forever. You wish time would stand still now as you prepare to let go once again.

It is in this act of letting go, over and over, that you have given your child a wonderful gift—a chance to grow his own set of wings.

And as you watch him take off on his next grand adventure, you will remember;

Letting go is never easy, but sometimes it must be done.

You may also like:

Dear Teenagers, Be Patient While I Let Go

Learning to Let Go and Let God

I Hold You, Baby, So You’ll Know It’s Okay to Let Go

So God Made a Mother book by Leslie Means

If you liked this, you'll love our new book, SO GOD MADE A MOTHER available now!

Order Now

Mary Ann Blair

Mary Ann Blair is a stay-at-home mom living in the Pacific Northwest with her two little gentlemen and hubs. She loves connecting with other parents who like to keep it real! Her work has been published on Her View From Home, Motherly, A Fine Parent, Perfection Pending, That’s Inappropriate, Pregnant Chicken, Sammiches and Psych Meds, Red Tricycle and in Chicken Soup For the Soul. She can be found at maryannblair.com or on Facebook at Mary Ann Blair, Writer.

When Your Kids Ask, “Where Is God?”

In: Faith, Kids
Child looking at sunset

How do I know if the voice I’m hearing is God’s voice? When I was in high school, I found myself asking this question. My dad was a pastor, and I was feeling called to ministry. I didn’t know if I was just hearing my dad’s wish or the call of God. I was worried I was confusing the two. It turns out, I did know. I knew because I was raised to recognize the presence of God all around me. Once I knew what God’s presence felt like, I also knew what God’s voice sounded like. There is a...

Keep Reading

Go Easy On the Parents Who Refuse to Skip Naps

In: Kids, Motherhood
Two little boys and their sister walking down a gravel road, color photo

Greetings from a mom who is done with napping children. It’s great to have the flexibility during the day for longer activities, meeting friends for playdates, or day trips to faraway places. It’s a new life . . . the life without naps. The freedom to make plans and keep them. But not that long ago, I was something very different than the flexible, plan-keeping, up-for-it woman I am today. I used to be the mom who refused to skip my child’s nap. Yep, that one. Here’s the thing, for a lot of parents, It’s so much more than just a...

Keep Reading

My Heart Isn’t Ready for You to Stop Believing in Santa

In: Kids, Motherhood
Little boy standing in front of lit christmas tree

“My friend doesn’t believe in Santa anymore, Mom,” my son said out of the blue the other day. We were driving in the car, and when I met his gaze in the rear-view mirror his eyes searched mine. Immediately, my heart sank.  This sweet boy, he’s our first. Thoughtful and smart and eight years old. A quick Google search tells me that’s the average age kids stop believing in Santa, but as his mom, I’m not ready for that—not even a little bit.  I can still hear his barely 2-year-old voice going on about reindeer as we lay together on...

Keep Reading

Motherhood is a Million Little Letting Gos and Fresh Hellos

In: Kids, Motherhood
Mother sitting with child on her lap by the setting sun and water

I missed my grocery-shopping buddy the other day. Mondays are usually the days my littlest and I knock out our grocery list. In the past, we’ve dropped the kids at school and then headed to the store. I grab a latte, and she chooses a hot chocolate. But that day, they were all in school. That day, she sat in her kindergarten class, and I went to the grocery store. Alone. A new rhythm. A changed routine. A different season. I listened to a podcast on the drive. My podcast. Then I grabbed a drink. Just one. I got the...

Keep Reading

Dear Kids, This Is My Wish for You

In: Kids, Motherhood
Mother hugs three kids

To my kids, The world you’re stepping into is unlike anything I experienced at your age. It’s fast-paced, interconnected, and sometimes overwhelming. But within this chaos lie countless opportunities for growth and joy. My wish for you is that you find the perfect balance between embracing the modern world and staying true to yourselves. Change is one thing you can always count on. Embrace it because it’s often the motivation for growth. Embracing change doesn’t mean letting go of who you are; rather, it’s about evolving into the best version of yourself. Remember, you don’t need to have all the...

Keep Reading

Dear Daughter, Stay Wild

In: Kids, Motherhood
Mother and daughter on beach, color photo

I can’t really put my finger on it. Or manage to find all the words. But there’s just something about that girl. Maybe it’s the way her hair sits tangled. Curled up at the end. The way she moves. Dances. As if everyone was watching. Or no one at all. RELATED: There is Wild Beauty in This Spirited Child of Mine It could be the way she smiles. With her heart. The way only she can. The way she cares, loves. For everyone. For herself. You see, she is beautiful in the way only wild things are. The way they...

Keep Reading

You’re Becoming a Big Sister, But You’ll Always Be My Baby

In: Baby, Kids, Motherhood
Pregnant woman with young daughter, color photo

The anticipation of welcoming a new baby into the world is an exciting and joyous time for our family. From the moment we found out we were expecting to just about every day since, the love and excitement only continue to grow. However, amidst all the preparations for the new addition, I cannot help but have mixed emotions as I look back at old videos and pictures of my firstborn, my first princess, my Phoebe—for she will always hold a special place in my heart. As the anticipation grows, my heart swells with a mix of emotions knowing we are...

Keep Reading

Cowgirls Don’t Cry Unless the Horse They Loved Is Gone

In: Grief, Kids, Loss
Little girls Toy Story Jessie costume, color photo

The knee of my pants is wet and dirty. My yellow ring lays by the sink—it’s been my favorite ring for months. I bought it to match Bigfoot’s halter and the sunflowers by his pasture. Bigfoot is my daughter’s pony, and I loved him the most. The afternoon is so sunny. His hooves make the same calming rhythm I’ve come to love as I walk him out back. A strong wind blows through the barn. A stall labeled “Bigfoot,” adorned with a sunflower, hangs open and I feel sick. I kneel down by his side as he munches the grass....

Keep Reading

Let Them Wear the Costumes Whenever They Want

In: Kids
Kids in costumes walking around living room

I have five children. My oldest is 18, and my youngest is 8. Over the years, I have bought quite a few Halloween costumes. It always starts in late summer—the kids start getting excited about dressing up and want to start looking online for costumes because they want to make sure they’re delivered on time. As the kids have gotten older, a couple of them have even planned out costumes a few years in advance. It’s always fun watching their excitement, and it’s always fun “sharing” the candy with them. One of the things I’ve always done is allow them...

Keep Reading

Boys Are Feral and Raising Them Is Worth Every Single Wild Moment

In: Kids, Motherhood
Muddy boy plays by water

Coming from a home with three sisters and practically swimming in an ocean of estrogen my whole life, I had no idea what to do with a boy. When I had my firstborn, boyhood was a complete mystery to me. Having boys and a girl, I can tell you that they require you to tap into two completely different sides of parenting. Both are hard in their own ways. But raising boys is just constant noises, weird smells, and bizarreness. If you’re a boy mom, you know exactly what I mean. My sister, mom of two girls, is always a...

Keep Reading