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Parenting for Departure

It was a violently cold night.  I parked about a block away in Adams Morgan and briskly walked to Bourbon, a restaurant/ bar that specializes in (you guessed it), bourbons.  I was enjoying a birthday celebration with some incredible men that I've known for years.  All of us were fathers, some of young kids and some who are clearly in their twenties.  Since I arrived there last, I had to sit next to the door. People walked in and out, neglectfully leaving the door open.  Ummm, did they not realize that it was -216 degrees?!? I digress.  We talked about different things, such as football, whiskeys, and of coarse, our kids. It was inevitable.  As I mentioned, some of these fathers were already empty-nesters.  As the conversation continued, one of the men said something that completely stuck with me.
Image result for pictures on child leaving home
Photo by Life Yomi

"You have to parent for departure.", he said.  Profound.  I don't remember anything else from the night.  It was if Charlie Brown was listening to his teacher as she said, 'Whaa da waa whaaa' (if you don't know what this really sounds like, watch an episode of Charlie Brown).  This was easy for him to say because he has three children who are out of the house.  With his wife, they have done a remarkable job with their kids.

Parent for departure.  What does that truly mean?

Well, as I have now have two teenage boys (17 & 13), this three-word phrase is beginning to mean so much, maybe too much, and I am still grappling with it.  That being said, I am going to write a blog series on this very topic.  It's going to be very engaging, informative, real, and a bit funny at times. What do you think it means?  And what would it mean for you?  Hope you're ready.

I am a dad with growing boys trying to get them ready to get out my house.  I really have No Off Season...

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