Psalm 56:3 — When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.
Parenting is full of transitions, no matter what phase or season you’re in. Whether your little one is heading to kindergarten for the first time, stepping into middle school, starting high school, leaving for college, getting married, or experiencing one of the million other firsts and lasts in between—each new season brings fresh opportunities, challenges, and goals.
And so, we brace ourselves.
We, as moms, learn to hold on while letting go.
At first, that might sound like a contradiction. But I believe that holding on while letting go is what gives us both the courage and the strength to watch our children soar. We hold onto God and His promises as we take a step back, trusting that He has a good plan for His child and for the season ahead.
This trust allows us to resist the urge to be helicopter parents—constantly hovering over our kids. After all, those helicopter blades can be dangerous if our children try to take personal responsibility and rise up.
Picture your child, ready to take ownership of their life, bravely facing the unknown. As they rise, they encounter the swirling winds of our fear—the harsh, forceful turbulence of our unwillingness to let go. Their wings may not be strong enough to break through the sheer force of our control. (Did you know helicopters aren’t aerodynamic? They fly by sheer brute force!) There’s a reason they’re called choppers!
What if we shifted our perspective from fear-based parenting to faith-based parenting?
What if, instead of hovering like helicopter parents, we embraced jump seat living?
Jump seat living means walking alongside our children rather than over them for 18 frantic years. It means preparing them for what’s to come while allowing them the space to navigate life.
Think about the role of a flight attendant on an airplane.
They know the final destination. They understand how the plane operates, what supplies are available, and what behavior will be tolerated. They lead with a smile, setting boundaries and establishing routines. But once their role is complete, they pull down the jump seat and take a seat.
They remain aware and available. They are positioned for emergencies. But they do not hover over every passenger’s move.
Right now, I’m navigating so many transitions in my family. As I reflect, I see the value of that jump seat with a seatbelt. That seatbelt keeps us from being impulsive, overbearing, or quick to rescue.
Our children have one Savior—Jesus. Just one.
Our hope is in Him.
We don’t need to ask Him to take the wheel—He already has it. Jesus is supreme over all things, whether we acknowledge it or not.
We can trust Him, no matter our child’s age or stage of life. But if we don’t trust Him, we risk teaching our children that He isn’t trustworthy.
So let’s land the helicopters and take a seat.
Let go and let God.
Start each day with eyes locked on your child’s potential, filled with expectation for what God will do. Let them flap their wings and rise up. Buckle up, take your seat, and enjoy the ride.
The One who holds your child in the palm of His hand is holding you too.
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