College Prep: Let Them Go

After reading the past posts, you now know everything you need to know to help your homeschooled child find the college of his dreams. Whew! It’s been quite a journey, but you’ve been faithful and you’re almost there. Now it’s time to let them go.

Sending a child off to college can seem like a scary thing. We as moms know there are potholes out there and lots of problems to be tackled. We wonder if our child is fully prepared. We know him better than anyone—his strengths and his weaknesses. And it’s those weaknesses that keep us up at night worrying about the day we release him into the world. 

Well let me assure you that you are not alone with these concerns. However don’t let these worries handicap you. Your child will probably learn some lessons the hard way in college. That’s part of the experience, and we must trust that God’s got this. He’s going to guide your child, protect him, and possibly let him stumble a little so he grows mature and strong. God is more invested in your children than you are. He loves them more than you ever could love them. He wants more for them than you could ever hope for them. He has plans for them that you couldn’t possibly dream up. And He knows exactly what needs to happen for them to overcome their weaknesses and become all that He created them to be. 

You Planted the Seeds

Take a deep breath and believe God has been a part of your parenting all these years. Believe He’s led you like a shepherd leads His sheep along the way. Believe that your choices in education and parenting were God inspired and will reap a harvest, even if you know you made some mistakes in your approach, philosophy, or beliefs. God knew all that and accommodated for it. You may have failed, but He didn’t. He will use everything for His purposes in the future He foreordained for your children. You planted the seeds, nourished them with fertilizer, and watered and watered and watered.

Now release your children to grow—knowing you’ve done all that you could. Even if you think you should have done more or have regrets about some things, it’s okay. God allows everything to happen and uses it to accomplish the plan He has for their lives. You weren’t perfect, but you were perfect for your children. It’s time to let them go. Let them grow. Let them become who God created them to be.  

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.  Proverbs 22:6   

Be expectant and hopeful. You’ve done a great job! Your child will become all that he is meant to become. Be of faith, trusting that God has gone before him and will pursue and bless him as he travels the journey God has for him.

Read on to learn more about preparing for college.