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My first born, my baby, my now somewhat mature 11 year old has just graduated from 5th grade, signaling the end of her elementary school days. Tears of joy, confusion, disbelief and incredulity well up in my eyes as I type the words.

It is milestones such as these when I examine not only my children’s development but also my parenting skills (they kinda go hand in hand). The most challenging aspect of parenting, I think, is to help your child to feel secure, accepted and part of a group while simultaneously encouraging them to feel confident enough to be themselves - comfortable in their own skin and with their actions - even if it means bucking the trend. I think this about sums it up:

“Do not go where the path may lead; go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson