Dear Parents of Post-High School Children,

We still need you. You might not realize that we do in fact need you and that might hurt you a little because it seems like we don't. You might think that we only need you when we call for money, ask you to make a doctor's appointment or need some work done on our car. Yes, we probably still need you to help us "adult" every now and then. We don't know how to handle our own taxes, buy our first big-kid cars or decide which grad school to go to. We need you for that still.

You might feel like we're suddenly pretty independent and self-sufficient, and that's because we are. You raised us with the tools and capabilities to leave your house and make something of ourselves. We've built our own separate lives, filled it with new people we love (not nearly as much as we love you, though, naturally), and we've set new goals and dreams for ourselves. Isn't that what you always hoped we'd do once we grew up? You should be proud of us for growing into the independent, driven people that we are. We might not have the time to call you more than once a week or come home as often as we used to, but that's because we're working so hard to make something of these lives that are totally our own now. Aside from being proud of us, be proud of yourselves. You gave birth to a baby, who grew into a child, who pushed you to your limits during their teens, and finally, you are able to take credit for the well-rounded, successful adults that have started making their own way in the world.

Our current and future successes will be because of the hard work we put in but also because of the firm foundation and opportunities you gave us to work with. Don't be sad because we need you less and less with our day-to-day struggles. Instead, be proud of us and feel accomplished in your own parenting skills. We love you and we're grateful for the steps you took to get us where we are today, but now it's time to sit back, relax and see what we choose to do with our lives.

Love always,

Your Mostly Grown Up Kids