I can understand the writer’s enthusiasm as she watched her daughter, Lisa, gain independence as she rode the theme park ride without the presence of her cousin. The feeling of fear the writer felt as her daughter walked to school alone and that moment of relief she experienced when her daughter, Lisa, returned from school. I related to those emotions the writer felt, and the pride she experienced as she watched her child turn into an independent human being. I have seen my children’s independence growing through out the stages in their lives. It is difficult for parents to cut those strings and let their children gain independence.

In today’s world it is extremely important to not cut the strings too early or too late. Society has our children living more adult- type lifestyles, instead of allowing them to be children. We, as a society, are asking our children to grow up too fast. Society is asking ten-year-olds to be parents to younger siblings, fourteen-year-old girls to look like Brittany Spears, a

I remember when I was a child growing up, these were power struggles I encountered with my parents over my independence. However, there were times that I wanted my parents to be the ones in control. Although I would never want to admit that emotion, it was a fact. Recently, I saw this need with my twelve-year-old daughter, Adrean. I discovered she was smoking and had been smoking for a period of months. I was crushed and disappointed in her, and in myself. I was shocked that she would consider doing something like this, and I was angry with myself for not seeing the signs. Even though I was angry, I knew I needed to be rational and calm and address this issue immediately. I gathered my thoughts and took Adrean to the park where we could talk quiet and peacefully. We talked for several hours on the issues surrounding teenage smoking, and how peer pressure was a part of why she felt she needed to smoke. I explained my feelings about where I stood on the importance of teenagers and adults not smoking.

I believe I have tried to set good examples for both of my children. It is important to me that they see me as a loving person with strong values, independence, and the ability to expand my horizons. I am looking forward to watching Adrean and Derek grow and develop into adults. I hope to see two strong, independent, caring, and compassionate people. I

Some topics in this essay:
Brittany Spears, , Adrean Derek, cut strings, article parenting, peer pressure, cut strings soon, society children, strings soon, gain independence, daughter lisa,