Child of Mine-A Poem for Children and Fellow Parents

I wrote the poem below for the Fall Frenzy Writing Contest and decided to share as I was hoping it might touch the hearts of other parents. I was inspired to write this poem by the image below. It is about separation between parent and child. A universal process that I feel is both the most beautiful and most painful part of parenting. It begins as the child starts to walk and move away from the parent and continues through young adulthood and beyond. Sometimes, as parents, we lose sight of the fact that separation and individuation are the goal of parenting. Luckily, we can count on those kids for continual, sometimes unpleasant, reminders!

​BIG THANKS  to Kaitlyn Leann Sanchez and Lydia Lukidis for organizing this amazing contest for the kid lit community. Special thanks to all of the generous donors for contributing their time, expertise and books to this fun Fall event!

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Child of Mine
By Vasilia Graboski
 
  Child of Mine
I am your strength.
I am your foundation;
your roots.
 
You will grow.
You will change.
You will become yourself;
Flowing and fluttering in your own way.
Becoming you.
A Beautiful soul.
 
 Life will change you in many ways.
Sometimes it may feel harsh.
Life’s events may take pieces of you;
Make holes that you don’t desire.
Make you ragged in shape.
But you will still be you.
Beautiful you.
 
Over time, you will separate from me;
Slowly move away.
I will no longer be able to protect you
With my cover.
You will fly on your own.
But, pieces of me will be inside of you for always;
 to help guide your way.
 
Never forget where you came from;
the love and caring deep inside you.
Your foundation is strong.
It will flutter and flow with you
Wherever you may land.
 
 Child of Mine
Let the wind take you
Where you are destined to go.
Wander, explore, evolve,
I will always be there;
The foundation inside you.
 
Oh, child of mine,
I don’t want you to go.
But you must.
Now is your time.
Flutter, drift, glide, swirl, tumble, roll, emerge and
Soar through this great world.