Story Behind The Song

Watching my daughter grow up I had to learn to step back over and over again when I wanted to protect her and keep her safe.

Song Description

The song begins with a description of the toddler taking her first steps and the parent learning to step back. Then it moves into her learning to ride a bike without training wheels and finally, choosing a college far away. Each time, the parent learns to step back and not let the worry show.

Lyrics

My darling daughter
Deep brown eyes and flyaway hair
Contagious laugh and a determined air
She learned to walk gripping my hand
But soon, she was tearing across the room

I ran behind her with my arms outstretched
Did she fall? Did she look back?
Not at all.

The hardest part of raising a child
is stepping back, stepping back
It's not easy
Letting only the pride show
But the hardest part
Is learning to let go.

My darling daughter.
Training wheels beating the drive
She rode like a pro
Pigtails flying
Dad brought a wrench
How her eyes shone
Three tries
And she was balancing on her own.

I ran beside her with my arms outstretched.
Did she fall? Did she look back?
Not at all.

The hardest part of raising a child
Is stepping back, stepping back
It's not easy
Letting only the pride show
But the hardest part
Is learning to let go.

Trying on prom dresses
She looks twenty-two (deja vu)
Trying to choose
Which college to go to
Colorado looks good
With the mountains so high
It's just a couple of plane rides, Mom

I stand behind her with my arms outstretched
Will she fall? Will she look back?
I don't know.

The hardest part of raising a child
Is stepping back, stepping back
It's not easy
Letting only the pride show
But the hardest part
Is learning to let go.

And someday she'll know
When she has her own,
The hardest part
Is learning to let go.
My darling daughter.