Wisely, sensitively and lovingly written Annie; unfortunately for some of us, we make the mistakes only to learn and understand it after the teenage years which are for some of us tumultuous and Wii challenge your every theory on parenting, guidance and direction.

Add: a second parent—whose theories are different to your own—

And one can easily see how challenging a dynamic it all is.

It’s all made me fat less jidgemental and hopeful understanding—our children will indeed need to not only find themselves but their path and the tools we gift them often are what we do in the first 8 to 11 years…it’s pretty much over soon after—

And I know many would argue against that.

But after that becomes the balancing act of guiding and letting go—and oh my—how difficult.

Great essay!!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts