Being the Mom After Our Children Grow Up

Elizabeth Estrada shares her journey through her son's growth into adulthood, embracing faith, love, and the evolving bond they share. Discover the beauty of parenting an adult child.

In the Beginning

I remember being a new mom and feeling overwhelmed and lost. A good friend told me, “Before you know it, he’ll be leaving for college.”

Yeah, right! I thought to myself, but here I am almost 20 years later, and you know what? She was right.

Don’t get me wrong; there were times as my son was growing up that I thought the stage or challenges he was facing would go on forever.

But there were also many great times of cuddles, hugs, walks, and drives that were priceless.

Adulthood

Now, as an adult thankfully I still get the hugs, the walks, the drives, and the laughter, challenges, and tears — though it looks different for sure.

My son has autism, so he always hit his milestones later in his development. I am proud to say that God has led him to become a wonderful young man who is finding his way in the world on his own terms.

He has decided to go his own way by really thinking about what he wants his career to be, but most importantly he always asks God for His wisdom.

When he was in his mid-teens, my son decided he no longer would be Catholic. God and Mother Mary gave me the strength to respect his decision and try to be a witness to our Catholic faith.

With God and Mother Mary’s comfort, I have been able to navigate when to step in or move out of the way. Our conversations look different too, especially when it is a serious situation. Instead of offering my advice first, I ask him if he wants my advice or just to listen.

Continuing the Journey

Thankfully now he has a relationship with the Lord. When he applied to his new job, he told his new boss that he had to get Sunday off because he went to Mass with me!

My son reminds me when things are difficult that he’s had a hard week, so he needs to go see Jesus! It's amazing that the teenager who rebelled against his faith now can’t live without it.

I know that this journey of adulthood is just beginning — and yes, there have been challenges and questions that many times I don’t have the answer to give.

The one thing I do know is that I am happy to be a part of this stage of my son’s life.

He has no idea how much he has taught me about having courage and loving God.

Therefore, if you are a mom of an adult child, know that it’s a wonderful time of learning and watching them come into their own.

I am thankful to be his mom at this stage in his life, and I wouldn’t change it for the world.

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Copyright 2026 Elizabeth Estrada
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