Letting Go and Holding On: How a Georgia Therapist Can Support You While Launching a Teen or Young Adult
This post is part of our “Parenting Through the Seasons” blog series where our Georgia therapists explore the emotional challenges of parenting across different life stages. Whether you're navigating new parenthood, feeling overwhelmed in the middle years, or adjusting to life with a young adult, Aspen Grove Counseling & Wellness is here to help.
Explore the full series below:
✦ Is This Normal? Support for New Parents
✦ Balancing Everything and Losing Yourself: Burnout in Motherhood
✦ Staying Connected While Raising Kids
✦ When Parenthood Doesn’t Look Like You Thought It Would
✦ Letting Go and Holding On: Supporting Teens and Young Adults
Navigating the Emotional Journey of Launching a Teen or Young Adult
The transition from parenting a child at home to launching a teen or young adult into the world brings a complex wave of emotions. Parents often find themselves feeling pride, excitement, fear, grief, and uncertainty—sometimes all in the same breath.
At Aspen Grove Counseling & Wellness, our Georgia therapists work with parents who are holding two realities at once: mourning the end of daily parenting while looking ahead to an exciting and uncertain future—both for their child and for themselves.
It’s a huge transition, not only for your teen or young adult but for you as a parent.
Grieving the "Lasts" and Facing New Beginnings
Many parents describe an intense awareness of "the lasts"—the last spring break, the last summer vacation, the last high school event. This awareness can create a sense of urgency to savor every moment, sometimes accompanied by sadness or pressure.
It’s normal to grieve the passing of this phase, even as you feel excitement for what’s ahead. Grief and joy often walk hand-in-hand during times of transition.
“It’s okay to feel sad about the ending while feeling hopeful about the future.”
Exploring Identity Beyond Parenting
For many parents, launching a child into adulthood prompts deeper reflection about their own identity. Questions like "Who am I outside of being a parent?" or "What’s next for me?" surface naturally.
This phase can be both exhilarating and daunting. Some parents embrace the opportunity to rediscover passions, relationships, and personal dreams. Others wrestle with feelings of uncertainty or diminished self-worth after years of being so deeply connected to their child’s daily life.
In therapy, we explore these identity shifts with compassion—helping parents honor their parenting journey while also nurturing the next chapter of their own growth.
Letting Go of Control While Maintaining Connection
One of the hardest parts of parenting young adults is learning to let go. It can be difficult to trust your child to make their own decisions—especially when those choices come with real-world consequences.
In therapy, we often help parents find the balance between letting go of control and maintaining healthy boundaries. We talk about how connecting with your teen or young adult will look different now, and we work together to create strategies for communication, autonomy, and emotional support.
Teaching independence while staying connected is an art—one that takes intention, flexibility, and care.
Focusing on Your Own Next Chapter
While launching a teen or young adult can feel like an ending, it is also the beginning of something new—for your child and for you.
In therapy, we often explore what dreams and hopes you have for your own future. Whether it’s rekindling passions, nurturing your relationship with your partner, pursuing new goals, or simply giving yourself space to rest and reflect, this season can be full of possibilities.
You deserve to step into this next chapter with curiosity and care.
You Are Allowed to Feel It All
This transition may bring pride, grief, joy, fear, and everything in between—and that's okay. Letting go of daily parenting responsibilities can bring unexpected emotions. While you might feel excitement for your child, you might also feel a sense of loss or uncertainty about what comes next for you. That doesn’t mean anything is wrong—it means this chapter matters.
At Aspen Grove Counseling & Wellness, our Georgia therapists support parents through the emotional complexity of launching their children into the world. You don’t have to navigate this season alone.
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Embarking on a therapeutic journey can be transformative, offering insights, growth, and healing. We at Aspen Grove Counseling and Wellness are here to support you every step of the way. If you have more questions or are ready to take the next step, please reach out. Your journey, your pace. We're here for you.