As my son gets older, I'm amazed at the different ways he shows his independence. I'm also amazed at my reluctance to let him be independent.

Note: This is a sponsored post in partnership with Gain. However, any personal views expressed are always 100% my own.

I think this is a feeling many parents can relate to. Still, no matter how I try to hold on to my "baby", my son clearly isn't going to stop trying to be independent (and he shouldn't), I now look for ways to accept and encourage his independence.

One of the simplest ways is to allow him to "help" during everyday tasks. Like doing laundry.

At first it was just simple things like holding the door. Now that he's older, it's big things like getting a basket, putting in the coins and even his clothes into the washing machine. Under my helicopter mom watchful eye of course.

This last step was a BIG one for me, but my son insisted (aka tantrum) that HE wanted to do it. As we stood in the laundromat having this standoff, I mentally had to sigh, let go (of the clothing) and let my son have his independent laundry moment.

After all what's wrong with him learning how to take care of things himself? Do I really want to still do his laundry when he's a grown adult male? OK I'm not going to answer that last question.

But my point is it's a good thing he knows and LIKES doing his laundry. He likes to be clean. This is a good thing!

I wont lie. I had a misty eye moment watching him go through the steps on his own. Independently. Meaning without any help from me. But I also had a good feeling moment.

As a parent, it's my job to prepare my son to live his life. To equip him with skills so he can survive as an adult. To help develop his self confidence to be on his own. I have to start letting him have more independence in ways when I can.

Gain Laundry Detergent #FreshStart

It was with this thought, that I vowed to make a fresh start of accepting my son independence this New Year. I've been saying it to myself for months but really resolved to after seeing this message on the Gain Facebook page (www.facebook.com/gain).

I really like Gain Laundry's idea of a clean fresh start for this year. Every year so many people look for ways to start clean and fresh in their lives. I think having clean and fresh clothing can play a big part. So does Gain.

Gain Laundry wants to help give people (and their clothes) that clean fresh feeling. Interested to learn how?

A little birdie told me that @Gain (www.twitter.com/Gain) is hosting a twitter party this Thursday, January 10th at 8 p.m. EST to discuss how Gain has vowed to make 2013 the Freshest Year Ever. I heard there will be prizes!

I'm still gathering all the information but plan on sharing all the details here so you can join in the fun!

Here's to resolving to making a fresh and clean start in our lives for 2013.