091 - That the Kid Will Be OK

Today I noticed the way I keep comparing my college-freshman-son’s new college journey to my own. It wasn’t intended, but my constant instinct is to ensure he does everything “right,” so he won’t forget something important by mistake. What dawned on me recently, though, is that he's is himself; he is not me. That means he’ll find his own way, which is right for him … and I need to trust him to grow and do it on his own. (Which he will, and will do well.)

The creative lesson I took from this Noticing is the value of letting go and trusting the journey, both in parenting and in writing stories. In writing, I long ago learned to let my characters make their own choices and face their own challenges instead of making them do what *I* think is right, but apparently I still have more to learn. Letting go in fiction is a great thing. It leads to more authentic stories when characters navigate their paths, make their own mistakes, and grow, just like we do in real life.

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