It’s time for me to face facts. My youngest daughter is graduating at the end of this week. Usually, when she reaches significant milestones, I’m mentally prepared because I’ve already been through it with my oldest.

Potty training my oldest was a bigger deal than it should have been. She learned to use the toilet in spite of my angst, as I was trying to keep up with other mom’s whose children were apparently potty-trained rock stars. When my youngest told me she wasn’t old enough for the potty chart reward system I’d set up for her, I didn’t sweat it. I knew she wouldn’t go to college not using a bathroom. Two weeks later she informed me she was good to go – on the toilet, that is.

On my oldest’s first day of school, I felt like I was throwing her to the wolves as she bravely walked into that kindergarten class. The day my youngest started school, I went out for coffee with friends, set loose on the world; at least from 9 to 3:30. When my oldest started driving, I was a nervous wreck. By the time my youngest got her license, I welcomed her freedom because my chauffeuring days were over.

But I have to say, with my youngest about to graduate, I am blindsided. I used to wonder why other parents had such a difficult time with empty nest syndrome. Don’t we raise them to grow up and leave home? Now I understand. I can’t fathom my baby being old enough to be out of high school. How could this be? When did this happen? It was just yesterday when she was climbing onto that big, yellow school bus for the first time. Where did the time go?

Before I had kids, my biggest fear was that they’d be born teenagers. Once they became teenagers, my biggest fear was that this day, when they’d be out of the public school system forever, would actually happen. It just doesn’t seem possible.

I’m sure all parents feel this way. I often think it’s a good thing I didn’t have more than two children, because by the time I’d get to the fourth (which is how many I thought I wanted when I got married), I’d be a basket case. Or maybe practice makes perfect and by the time the fourth graduated from high school I’d be a self-assured pro.

Not that my youngest is leaving home anytime soon. She’s got a job in our town and plans to take at least a quarter off before she starts at a local college. Plus, my oldest still resides in my home. She moved back last year to regroup, after college didn’t work out. The physical nest will not exactly be empty. It’s my emotional nest I’m concerned about.

With both daughters out of their formative years, there’s not a whole lot I can do for their lives now except support them in their adult choices. After this week, my biggest conundrum, besides getting them to help with the dishes, will be prodding them to go to college, move out, and become productive members of society. But ultimately they face decisions I cannot make for them.

Maybe now my biggest fear should be that they will never leave. But really, what I’m most afraid of is that after my youngest graduates and takes the reins of her own life, my schedule will truly be my own.

I’m not sure I’m responsible enough for that.

Gretchen Leigh is a stay-at-home mom who lives in Covington. You can read more of her writing and her daily blog on her website livingwithgleigh.com or on Facebook at “Living with Gleigh,” or twitter @livewithgleigh. Her column is available every week at maplevalleyreporter.com under the Lifestyles section.