Yànzi xián ní, kōng fèilì; zhǎngdà máo yī, gèzì fēi.

燕子銜泥空費力, 長大毛衣各自飛。

Lit The swallow carrying [bits of] mud in [her] beak [to build a nest is] wasting [her] effort, [for when the little swallows] grow a coat of feathers, each [will] fly [off on its] own.

Fig When raising children, remember that the day will inevitably come when they will “leave the nest” and go off to lead their own lives.

Note [The second half is also said ... zhǎngdà máo gān, gèzì fēi; see also the following entry.]

Topics CHILDREN EFFORT INDEPENDENCE PARENTS SEPARATION