30 Day Mom Challenge Day 16: Picture what you want your child to be like at age 25. Mother with that in mind, today.

I read the other day that the goal of parenting is to raise our children to be able to function without us. Aye, there’s the rub. I want nothing more than for my children to be confident, smart and outgoing individuals as they grow, but I’m probably also a helicopter mom in the highest sense, so it can be hard for me to step back and let them stumble and make mistakes.

I always second-guess myself. And I always wonder if I'm doing the best I can by my kids. I try hard to let them learn lessons that are easier learned now (such as disappointment) rather than later.

But then, today, after school, the kids and I were talking about being a good parent. I don’t know if I’m a good parent. I try. But I worry that I’m not.

And my son says to me: “The fact that you’re worried about being a good parent means that you’re a good parent. Because you wouldn’t worry about it if you didn’t care.”

Smart kid. He’s on his way.