“Mom, I don’t know what I want to do for my career. I go back and forth.
I’m running out of time.
I haven’t had enough classes yet to figure it out.
I’m running out of time.
What if I don’t like it?
I’m running out of time.
What if I switch majors and hate that one?
I’m running out of time.
A decision has to be made.
What should I do?
I’m running out of time.
Oh my gosh, I’m going to be late for class. I have to go.”

“Oh sweetheart, you’re not supposed to know.
You are eighteen.
Trust me, you will figure it out. Give it some time.”

Give it some time?
I hear those words and I want to believe what is echoing out of my lips but is it realistic?

Can she give her declared major some time?
Time to reflect?
Think of the future?
Time to absorb and take in everything swirling around her?

Why the rush?
I get it… classes need to line up for graduation requirements but for goodness sake, the pressure placed on our kids is outlandish.

Do you have a major? Yes
Do you like your classes for your major? No
If you want to switch majors you have exactly four days to decide.
Four days to make a decision which impacts a lifetime?
Yikes!

I can only imagine how she is feeling.
Anxious? Check!
Nervous? Check!
Second guessing? Check!

But why is all of this stress necessary?
Can’t we allow some time for those kids who think they know what they want to do with the rest of their life before stepping foot on campus to only find out they were wrong?

Can’t we offer up some grace for those kids who go in undecided?
Does anyone really think, within six weeks, the kid who didn’t have an idea prior to leaving home now all of a sudden had a huge epiphany and knows the career path to take?

Has there really been enough time?
Enough life experience?
Enough time within ones thoughts to truly think about what is important in the future?
Or what will make them happy?
Happy adults working and living a life they dreamed?

So as my big kid’s anxious heart is rapidly beating, filled with both wonder and confusion, I sit miles away offering all I can give within my heart.

But honestly, do I even know what I want to do when I grow up?