I think how a short 17 years ago I held my newborn son and thought I would have him forever.  Well last week I found out he has enough points to graduate 8 months early and all of a sudden he is planning for his future.  I still see that big smile,and rememebr how he  loved to spend family time and always showed us he loved us with big hugs and smiles. But high-school came and somehow now he isn't quite the same the same.  He used to be happy he got to go skating-boarding, now its about his Mustang , friends and girls.  He isn't so happy doing family time, but wants to be alone. He is a good Christian kid, and really loves Jesus!  He is very smart and with a 4.0 can chose his future.  He has made a big deal since he started 11th grade that he doesn't need parents and he can do his own thing just fine, he doesn't want us to tell him what to do, but  at times he changes back to help mom and dad , it is so confusing!!  Most of the time he is quit and thinking, or talking on the phone  So I was very surprised when he came home sick with a head ache  and told me the stress is just to much, I am not ready to quit being a kid mom,  I don't want to grow up so fast and I don't want to live at school, I think I'll go to community college for a year, he wants to go into Law enforcement and work in forensics.  I miss being a kid, and maybe just want to hang out a little longer.  So as big and strong acting as he has become, I found it pretty  strange that maybe deep inside he stills wants a mom and still wants to be a kid.  Maybe for a short few months I have time to Cherish him just being a kid.  Kinda makes me sad and happy at the same time.  Any of you seasoned parent got any pointers, this is the first that is approaching graduation and I don't want to mess this up!