Last week, my two oldest boys went to camp.

And if you’re a parent, you probably know the thoughts that come rushing in.

Will they have fun?

Will they make friends?

Will someone be kind to them?

Will they be okay without me?

My mama heart feels all of those things.

Because as parents, we spend so many years keeping our kids close. We protect them, guide them, remind them, help them. Then one day, they start asking for bigger adventures.

A sleepaway camp.
A school trip.
A first job.
A chance to try something without us standing right beside them.

And suddenly, we have a choice.

Hold on tighter...

Or let them grow.

If I’m honest, I don’t think either one feels easy.

But when I think back on my own childhood, some of the moments that shaped me most happened when I was away from home.

I learned how to make new friends.

I learned how to solve problems before calling my parents.

I learned that I was more capable than I realized.

Those experiences gave me confidence I couldn’t have gained any other way.

And I’m so grateful my parents trusted me enough to experience them.

That’s what I want for my boys.

Not a childhood without challenges.

A childhood full of opportunities.

Opportunities to explore.

To laugh until their stomach hurts.

To try something new.

To make mistakes, figure things out, and realize they’re stronger than they thought.

Of course I’ll miss them.

Of course I’ll wonder what they’re doing.

Of course I’ll be counting down until they’re home.

That’s what moms do.

But I also know that every new experience helps shape who they’re becoming.

Sometimes the greatest gift we can give our kids isn’t another lesson from us.

It’s the chance to discover what they’re capable of on their own.

So maybe this week’s Tuesday Tip isn’t about design.

Maybe it’s simply this:

Trust the foundation you’ve built.

Let them explore.

Let them grow.

Their world gets a little bigger...

And so does their confidence.

And I have a feeling they’ll come home with more than just stories.

They’ll come home believing in themselves just a little bit more.

And I think that’s a pretty beautiful thing. 🤍

Xoxo,

Meg