Mother Energy™ has crept back into my life again—that fiercely protective, “Worrier-Warrior”, who is certain my children aren’t quite ready for the natural progression of life and can’t handle the next steps without my continual guidance and loving, hands-on approach.

1. Kindergarten, Driving, University,
Marriage:
It’s All the Same to Mother Energy™
Mother Energy™ has crept back into my life again—that fiercely protective, “Worrier-
Warrior”, who is certain my children aren’t quite ready for the natural progression of life
and can’t handle the next steps without my continual guidance and loving, hands-on
approach.
No, my Mother Energy™ is not an actual person. She’s within me. (And no, I don’t have
“multiple personalities”.)
Mother Energy™ is an Emotional Archetype that lies within every woman. She
represents the fiercely primitive, maternal, selfless, sometimes “giving to a fault” part of
us – the Momma Bear who will die fighting for her cubs.
The trouble is, Mother Energy™ can’t always identify real danger from her own
fear of letting go.
Certain no one else is capable of handling things the right way, Mother Energy™ takes
on more than she can handle, knowing something will have to give (and that something is
her needs, wants, time, energy, and eventually, her joy).
She doesn’t do it on purpose. She just cares so much and is convinced if she doesn’t do it
then it won’t get done properly.
And boy oh boy, she’s been fighting for the reins in my life lately.
The last time I remember this overwhelming feeling of wanting to protect was when
my first daughter went to Junior Kindergarten. I sat in the car watching the
playground during recess. Came back to observe over lunch. She hid in the corner by
herself the entire time. I cried and cried and cried. It was breaking my heart.
No way. She wasn’t ready. She had always been so shy and sweet and quiet and mine to
protect, teach, and nurture.
Where was the teacher? Why wasn’t anyone helping her to integrate with the other kids?
I wanted to scoop my baby up and bring her home—back to the safety of my nest.
I spoke with the teacher who had a gruff demeanor. She assured me my child was fine.
“Why is this woman teaching four year olds? Aren’t kindergarten teachers supposed to
be like sweet, lovely, soft, grandma-types who hug the kids and talk gently?”

2. Nope. This wasn’t going to work. My child would be homeschooled. My Mother
Energy™ was happy to take on this extra role.
Who knows if I was actually right? Who knows if my fears were justified? Maybe I was
overreacting? Maybe my daughter was ready and I wasn’t?
Regardless, I took her home and went to work: flash cards, painting easel, chalk board,
and thick red pencils. She was reading Dr. Seuss before she was five. I could do this!
And then something began speaking to me from deep within. It was asking me some
important questions:
· Was I holding onto the reins too tightly?
· Could holding on too much be just as damaging as too little?
· Was this even about school? My kids? My parenting? Or more about me and my
own childhood?
· Was I being overly-protective simply because I hadn’t been protected as a
daughter?
·
I knew it was time to figure out the type of mother I needed to be. Here’s what I
discovered: I wanted to be involved but not overbearing, available but not intrusive,
loving but not controlling, trusting but not foolish, patient but not a pushover,
understanding but not naïve, compassionate but not a doormat, and most certainly a
woman who had her own life, her own dreams, and her own plans, and was modeling it to
her daughters. I wanted to be the type of woman they’d one day want to become.
By Senior Kindergarten, Madelaine seemed more ready and Julia, her younger sister, was
beyond excited about going to Junior Kindergarten. Off they went, hand-in-hand.
Sticking together became a theme I adopted. It helped calm my Mother Energy™,
knowing they always had each other.
(Note: If you’re a mother who homeschools, God-bless you. There is no judgment in my
decision to stop homeschooling. We all must do what is right for our own families.)
The real point of this blog is to share with you what I discovered about myself.
Once my children went to school, I realized I had another very important job to
accomplish. It was time to heal my own wounded inner child—my Daughter
Energy™—the little girl within me who needed protection, counsel, love, care, and
kindness.
The more work I did helping her, the less I projected my own fears onto my
children.
It was working. For twelve years, parenting became “an art form” for me. I was really
mastering it.

3. And then my eldest daughter turned sixteen: driver’s license time.
Imagine! She, herself, alone would be driving a 3,500 pound car that could hit speeds of
100+ miles per hour through rain, sleet, snow, and other hazardous conditions. And the
worst part: there are other cars on the road!
I was losing control. My fierce protective Mother Energy™ was rearing her head again.
Teaching Maddy to drive was beyond painful—for both of us. If I could’ve made her sit
on my lap while I controlled the gas and brakes, I would have. She refused. LOL
But, she took her final exam and passed with flying colors.
Damn.
Damn.
Damn.
For the first time in my life, I wished she would have failed. (Not really . . . but my
Mother Energy™ did. Blame it on her!)
Then . . . get ready for this . . .
My daughter saved up enough of her own money (from working) to not only purchase
her own car but to cover the insurance and gas costs.
Why was she doing this to me? Why was she so wonderful, mature, responsible, and
capable? (Maybe the apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree. . .)
And now this past month, I’ve had to face it all over again. My youngest daughter has
just passed her driver’s exam and wants to take my car out ALONE. All by herself! MY
BABY!
I’m working through it.
I’ve taken my Mother Energy™ for a talk and explained to her that all birds must
one day leave the nest and that our love is the “protective bubble” that stays with
our kids as they venture out into the world.
They aren’t leaving forever. Mine are just driving.
Yes. It’s a very big deal but as I remind myself, when I was sixteen I was living on my
own, figuring out how to get food, lodging, transportation, money, protection, and getting
myself to the hospital for ongoing treatment for a serious medical condition.
She just has to drive herself to the mall and back. She can do this!

4. My daughters are growing up into beautiful, strong, empowered young women
just as I wished for.
And so today, I say to all Mothers
to Kindergarten, University, or to a waiting Bride or Groom, trust that your love has
given your child the confidence to blossom in the world, while assuring them you are
always there to hug, listen, support, counsel, and kiss a scraped knee.
They will be okay. You will be okay.
Trust that your love can’t be contained. It will transcend classrooms, roads,
borders, and paths still left untraveled. Real love wants what is best, not for us but,
for them.
And with that being said, please go do something good for yourself today! Self
one of the greatest gifts we can teach our “wee ones”.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on today’s blog.
Warmly,
About Crystal Andrus:
Crystal is best-selling author, international motivational speaker, women’s health
advocate, fitness expert; spokesperson for Louise Hay’s new line of Haylo Health
supplements.
She is the CEO & founder of Crystal Andrus Productions. She is the founder of The SWAT
Institute—an on-line empowerment coaching program designed specifically for women
who want to help empower other women.
For more information please visit
My daughters are growing up into beautiful, strong, empowered young women
And so today, I say to all Mothers who are struggling with sending their Baby Bears off
to Kindergarten, University, or to a waiting Bride or Groom, trust that your love has
given your child the confidence to blossom in the world, while assuring them you are
port, counsel, and kiss a scraped knee.
They will be okay. You will be okay.
Trust that your love can’t be contained. It will transcend classrooms, roads,
borders, and paths still left untraveled. Real love wants what is best, not for us but,
And with that being said, please go do something good for yourself today! Self
one of the greatest gifts we can teach our “wee ones”.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on today’s blog.
international motivational speaker, women’s health
advocate, fitness expert; spokesperson for Louise Hay’s new line of Haylo Health
She is the CEO & founder of Crystal Andrus Productions. She is the founder of The SWAT
empowerment coaching program designed specifically for women
who want to help empower other women.
For more information please visit http://www.crystalandrus.com/
My daughters are growing up into beautiful, strong, empowered young women —
who are struggling with sending their Baby Bears off
to Kindergarten, University, or to a waiting Bride or Groom, trust that your love has
given your child the confidence to blossom in the world, while assuring them you are
Trust that your love can’t be contained. It will transcend classrooms, roads,
borders, and paths still left untraveled. Real love wants what is best, not for us but,
And with that being said, please go do something good for yourself today! Self-love is
international motivational speaker, women’s health
advocate, fitness expert; spokesperson for Louise Hay’s new line of Haylo Health
She is the CEO & founder of Crystal Andrus Productions. She is the founder of The SWAT
empowerment coaching program designed specifically for women