My Daughter Now 17

My daughter is now 17 years old and currently interning at a bookstore. As a parent, I used to worry about whether she could socialize well with others, especially in a work environment. She has always been a quiet and thoughtful person, which made me wonder how she would adapt to a new setting filled with older colleagues and unfamiliar routines. However, I reminded myself that part of parenting is learning to trust our children as they grow. Watching her take this step toward independence has been both emotional and rewarding.

She is expected to complete her studies in 2027, and I plan to support her as she begins her journey into the workforce. It is important to me that she learns the value of earning and saving money, especially if she wants to continue her higher education using her own funds. This will help her build confidence, resilience, and financial discipline. At the same time, I also have two younger children whose education still requires financial support, so balancing everything has been a challenge I willingly take on for their futures.

After the first few days of her internship, most of my worries started to fade away. She has been able to communicate and interact with her seniors at work, and it brings me peace to know that she is learning how to handle social situations with grace. This experience is helping her grow in ways that school alone could never offer.

I truly hope that through this opportunity, she will continue to develop a mature personality and become someone who can take care of herself as an adult. In the end, I feel that my years of hard work and sacrifice are beginning to bear fruit. Watching her become more independent is a quiet but powerful reward.