Eight years ago our eldest had her very first, first day of school. There were nerves and excitement  (from all of us) as she took her first steps into the unknown without us.

Over the next eight years, there were many other first days of school. With each of them, we all grew more confident. We finally got our head around how the school works; how often she can get away with wearing the school tracksuit before having to wear the actual uniform again;  school lunches (packing the same lunch everyday because you know the boring ham sandwich, apple, cheese, and lentil curls will actually be eaten); what apps need to be downloaded; how much she needs or wants us there; etc.

Today was the first, first day of school, in a long time, where we stepped back into the unknown.

Today was her very first day of high school, or secondary school as I am always being corrected. All of the same questions that we had in Primary School are back – do we really need that piece of the school uniform? What does that mean? I don’t get that? How does that work? and so much more. By next year, we will sort of get it, but for now we are all just going by the seat of our pants – figuring that we will all learn as we need to. Whatever has been forgotten, can be brought into school the next day.

The thing both these first days have in common – besides the endless questions – is that, while we are all navigating it, it isn’t about myself and her dad, it’s about my eldest. This is her journey – her adventure.

As parents, we will always be there with her if she needs us to be, but, this is not our journey, it is hers. We will walk with her, if that’s what she wants, but also stand back as she does her own thing.

She is our daughter but she is not ours. Our dreams and aspirations are not hers and nor do I wish them to be. We want her to dream big and go and chase those dreams wherever they may lead her. We will not hold her back.

Our fears are not her fears. We are here to empower her, not to limit her.

We are so proud of her but her achievements are not ours. They’re hers.

We will always protect her and have her back but she is her own person who is going to leave her own mark on this world.

Many have asked, are you sad that she is going into high school and that she is growing up? No, we are excited. It’s a privilege to see her grow up. She is stepping into her future and we can’t wait to see what she does with it.