Joyce Maynard’s essay in The New York Times‘ Modern Love column captures perfectly and poignantly, being a mother when your children are young adults. The co-mingling of feeling responsible and protective with the knowledge that they, and you, are living separate lives is unsettling.  It is so exciting to see them craft their lives, explore new territory, make grown up decisions–but along with that comes helpless worry. You can’t call the school, hire the tutor, give the time out, issue the magic boo-boo kiss that really does take pain away.  One must support, comfort and advise, if you are asked, but in the end, they are off now, having their own complicated lives like us all. It is a time to face the limits of the control you have over your child’s life. Make no mistake-there is relief and freedom as well-but it is undeniably a bitter sweet time.