It's kind of a weird thing to see the kid who used to dress up in princess costumes and have tea parties with stuffed animals suddenly turn into a young adult.
This past weekend, she bought her first car. I'm not one of those parents who just gives my kid a car. She had to work hard to earn the money. She saved it until she finally had enough to buy the car herself. The sense of accomplishment on her face when she brought it home was priceless.
It's a bittersweet thing. On one hand, I'm glad she's becoming independent and growing up. And it's kind of nice not having to be the taxi service. On the other hand, now I have to worry about her safety on the road. And I know she'll never be a little kid again.
Next year, she'll be going off to college. That'll be another big adjustment!
How was it for you when your kids grew up? Was it hard on you? Or were you happy to see it?
And since it's about time for the IWSG post, I'll add that.
That's an easy one. I am a professional musician. I play and teach violin, viola, and piano. But I also play cello, ukulele, guitar, mandolin, harpsichord, and xylophone. I also write music. Mostly songs. But I am thinking about writing a concerto for viola and orchestra. All the contemporary viola concertos are very modern-sounding. In my opinion, they're not concertos that the average person would like to listen to. The ones that are nice, are not considered difficult enough for professional orchestra auditions. So, I would like to create a viola concerto that's pretty and technically challenging. Now I need more time...
Good luck to your daughter and safe travels to her. You must be one proud mum.
ReplyDeleteI share your love of music......could play a few tunes on the piano by 2yrs of age and went on to pass many examinations. Have fun with your music Sherry.
Yvonne.
Thanks, Yvonne.
DeleteMusic is my other creative outlet.
ReplyDeleteGood for your daughter. Buying the car herself will stick with her. She'll probably take better care of it as well.
I hope so. So far, so good.
DeleteYou sound like one proud mom and rightfully so. I guess you never stop worrying, that those worries just change/get added to as they get older.
ReplyDeleteVery true!
DeleteHi, Sherry!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to your daughter on working steadily toward a goal and accomplishing it with no shortcuts or help from parents. You can be proud of her. If she is levelheaded enough to save money and buy her own car, chances are she will take good care of it and drive responsibly too.
Knowing your musical talent, I think you would be capable of writing a fine concerto for viola and orchestra. Finding the time to do it is another matter, as you already mentioned.
Enjoy your week, dear friend Sherry!
I think you value something more when you have to work so hard to get it. Enjoy your week as well.
DeleteI think it's hard when your children start driving and becoming more independent. It's a difficult thing in my view. But I felt more confident as time passed and our children showed good judgement( most of the time) Best wishes to your daughter and congratulations on earning her first car. I applaud you for having her earn it because it will be much more precious to her.
ReplyDeleteI try not to worry too much. She's a responsible person, so she should be fine.
DeleteI remember teaching my daughter to drive in the snow when we lived in Michigan... she is a good driver but I miss her being my "little girl"
ReplyDeletewww.thepulpitandthepen.com
It's so hard to see your kids grow up when you remember them as little people. Makes you feel old.
DeleteMy kids are 6 and 3, but I already feel like they're growing so fast. It is bittersweet as they change, but it is good too:)
ReplyDelete6 and 3 are good ages. Enjoy them while they're young. You have a whole new set of things to deal with when they're teenagers!
DeleteOur house was always the gathering place for our kids and their friends, so it was an adjustment as they grew up and moved out, and the house grew steadily quieter. Even so, when we took our youngest to college, my hubby and I exchanged spontaneous high fives when we exited her dorm. Sure, it's a little tough to see them grow up and become independent, but there's also a huge amount of new-found freedom for the parents, too. And I can honestly say I've never been sad about having an empty nest.
ReplyDeleteThe empty nest is right around the corner for us. It'll be nice to have a clean house, though. My son's room especially is rather messy!
DeleteGreat that she got it herself, will definitely appreciate it more.
ReplyDeleteI agree.
DeleteI'm with you on the safety on the road thing. Every time my daughter goes off to work, I wait for her to reach and message me to say she's reached safely. She's a Doctor and just started working. So its shift work. She left last night at 11.30 pm.
ReplyDeleteAnd I kept watching the time to check in when she would reach. So its no matter how big they get, you'll always worry.
Doctors work long hours. I'm sure you're worried about her operating a motor vehicle when she's tired. I'm glad she checks in with you.
DeleteTeaching her the value of buying her own car is a wonderful thing. I don't have children so I can only image how hard and proud you were to watch her driving away this morning. Would love to hear a concerto for viola and orchestra that you had written. I bet it would be amazing.
ReplyDeleteIt would probably take me a long time to write the concerto. Maybe if I start now, I'll finish in 20 years. :)
DeleteThey grow up so fast.
ReplyDeleteYes, they do!
DeleteI am sure such an amazing feeling to drive her car with pride and at the same time seeing her grow up fast. Write and share your music with us, Shelly for would love to read your musical tale :)
ReplyDeleteIf I ever write the concerto, I'll post the manuscript on my website: www.sherryellis.org
DeleteOy, kids in my country would have to work till their retirement to buy themselves a car :))
ReplyDeleteIt's a very different place where you live.
DeleteOh yes, all those adjustments are hard. My daughter is graduating college this year and apply to get into a masters program. She lives a few minutes away but lives with her boyfriend and has here own life. It's fun sometimes starting an adult relationship, but hard to accept that you are the center of your kid's life as well worries still and having lots of college expenses. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteCollege expenses. Something I'm not looking forward to!
DeleteSo glad your daughter earned the money to buy her first car. You're teaching the value of hard-earned money early. Your many talents are an inspiration, Sherry.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Tracy. So many kids around here have their parents buy them sports cars for their first cars. I don't think it's good for kids to have everything just handed to them.
DeleteGood for your daughter, and yes-- not easy for you. Bittersweet is the right way to describe it.
ReplyDeleteIt'll be an adjustment once both kids are out of the house!
DeleteOh my goodness! You play so many instruments. Congratulations on your accomplishments. And happy IWSG Day! http://www.raimeygallant.com
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteWhen our children grew and flew, one of the things I missed was seeing their friends. I like the company of young people. It's good to see one's offspring developing their independence, and leaving home is not the end - it's the beginning of a new chapter. They come home with 'extras' and very soon you find yourself wishing for elasticated walls!
ReplyDeleteLife never stays the same, does it?
DeleteI knew you were a musician, but I never even thought about you writing music/songs. Sounds logical, though. I love it!
ReplyDeleteIt's that creative thing in me. :)
DeleteWow, you are very musical indeed. I have a clarinet player and a violin player in the house.
ReplyDeleteI'm very anxious about my kids learning to drive as well. I think they are responsible, but you never know what kind of crazy drivers are out there. Sometimes the thought of them going off to college makes me drool over all the extra time I'll have to do things, and other times, the thought of not being able to keep an eye on them sends me into a panic.
I worry about the other drivers, too. And at school, there are so many inexperienced drivers. I hear about collisions in the parking lot. Hopefully that won't happen!
DeleteFantastic that your daughter worked and saved up for her own car. I can only imagine how it makes you feel to see her drive on her own, though. My little guy will be 9 this year, so I've got a ways to go before I have a young driver.
ReplyDeleteThe time will pass quickly!
DeleteWhile there were moments of melancholy, I felt mostly joy at seeing my daughter achieve each milestone toward adulthood. Now that she's 25 and married, I get such a kick each time she shares something she's learned that I don't already know. I'll always be her mom, but my job was to help her until she was ready to launch, and launch she has.
ReplyDeleteI bet that makes you feel proud.
DeleteI don't have kids of my own, but I am watching my nephews grow up, and I can't believe that my oldest nephew will be starting high school in a couple of years. The thought of them being that old is strange. lol
ReplyDeleteI watched my younger cousins grow up. I was a teenager when they were babies. Now they have kids.
DeleteParents are always faced with this dual emotional response when their baby makes those huge leaps into their own adulthood--especially driving off in their own car. I sure had my share. Now, I'm the one driving away, and they call me to see that I made it home safely. Ah life. How splendid it is.
ReplyDeleteHaha! That's great! It's like a circle, isn't it?
DeleteMy kids are still young--8 & 5. But yeah, even the little things about them not needing my help anymore is both a cause for celebration and a reminder that soon, this'll all be in the past.
ReplyDeleteIt's nice when they start getting independent. Your kids are my favorite age for kids. They're more independent than when they were babies, and they don't have all the teenage issues.
DeleteI am so happy for your daughter Sherry! Good for her! I don't have any kids, but I imagine, it must be hard on you!
ReplyDeleteYou are so talented in every way! Good for you, with all you have accomplished with your music! Big Hugs!
Thank you! Big hugs back.
DeleteI can imagine it is a powerful moment when one sees their child so independent for the first time. Here is to lots of safe driving. :)
ReplyDelete~Jess
She's very careful. Hopefully everybody else around her will be, too.
DeleteWow! That's a lot of instruments. Congratulations to your kid on driving and buying a car. Very exciting time.
ReplyDeleteYes, it is!
DeleteIn awe of all your musical accomplishments. So, so impressive! Writing a concerto sounds like such an incredible goal. Good luck, should you ever find the time for it!
ReplyDeleteIt's on my list of things to do. We'll see if I actually do it.
DeleteI loved this diary entry! What an accomplishment! Love it!
ReplyDelete-Love From Reena Patil of Fabriano Boutique
Thanks!
DeleteYou're so creative! Good luck with writing that concerto :-)
ReplyDeleteRonel visiting for Feb's IWSG Day Being an Insecure Writer -- And Happy About It