From the moment you become a mother, you’d do anything for your child. When they’re young, they need you for everything. In the blink of an eye, though, they are ready to fly the nest for college or to start a new chapter in their life.

Your grown child becomes increasingly independent over the years, but that doesn’t mean you’re no longer needed. There are still many areas of life where your advice and support is priceless. Here are a few:

They’ll Still Need You For Health Support

Nothing in life is more important than health. Ensuring that your grown up child is protected by health insurance should be a priority. Many young adults think they are indestructible, but you must be the guidance (and voice of reason) for them during this time.

Make sure that they’re covered, that they get symptoms checked, and that they stay on top of their health. This doesn’t end with physical issues, either. As our understanding of mental health and cognitive conditions has grown in the past few years, there have been more options and supports available.

For adult children, symptoms of ADHD may become more noticeable in early adulthood. If this is something your son or daughter brings to you, even if they’re older in age, it’s important to help take it seriously (and help where needed!). Remember: when your adult child’s health is under control, it lays the foundation for a far better life.

They’ll Still Need You For Education & Career Guidance

Every person needs to take charge of their own educational needs and career development. As a loving parent, there’s still several ways that you can help. First, you can leverage your network and contacts to potentially help them secure a job.

Just as you prepared your little one for kindergarten, you can also support work or support college preparations. From college applications to investing in new tech to support their education, your help is invaluable. These are crucial years in their life, influencing the decades ahead. Don’t be absent!

They’ll Need Your Life Skills 

A great job or qualifications will play a valuable role in a young adult’s life. But there are so many more issues to consider. While they have grown in independence levels over the years, there is so much more to learn. You can be the educator they need for a better life.

Whether it’s cooking or organizing their finances, you can provide a positive influence on their day-to-day life. As they learn these skills, it will support them long after they fly the nest! (And will give them confidence, too!)

They’ll Need Your Love

Even if your child no longer needs you for daily assistance, they want to feel your love and presence. This gives them an emotional safety net and an outlet to vent or seek advice when tough times occur. The quicker you learn of their issues, the sooner you can support them.

It’s great if you get to see them in person, but that’s not always possible. Video calls are a good alternative. Meanwhile, sending sentimental gifts or photos is another great option. They will, of course, need some breathing room and space to become their own people, but the knowledge that you’re there is a wonderful thing. And your relationship will obviously be enriched from this step, too.