Richard Norway's Blog

My heart goes out to you. Kids grow up and stop being children, but you never stop being a parent. You never stop worrying about your kids, but would you have it any other way?I wish Nathaniel and David all the best. We always want to cocoon our children, but we probably were no wiser than they are when we were that age. Just like we did, they will learn some of their life lessons the hard way. When they get in difficulty we are always there to catch them - and they need the security of knowing that. It's one of the greatest gifts a parent can give a child - unconditional love.You are a wonderful man and Nathaniel and David will know that. May your beard grow ever longer.

By letting him go, Ricard, you managed to keep him. It really works that way. You gave him his independence, and he's very aware of that. You've already seen the effect. He had a problem, and immediately called you. He hasn't left your life, he's simply inhabiting it in a different way.As much as he's affected your life, you've undoubtedly affected his even more. He won't forget you, and will certainly stay in contact.And, you can invite them both to dinner on a regular basis, weekly, bi-monthly, monthly, whatever you think best. Then you'll get to know him all over again in different circumstances, with your relationship subtly changed.I'm sure it's hard to see them fly from the nest, but how great is it to see their wings working well?C

I don't have children myself, but I found it enormously satisfying when I stopped being only my parent's child, and began to learn to love them as best friends as well. It opened my relationship with them into so many new dimensions, and enriched my relationship with them so much...