A taste of what’s to come
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- September
- 11
Yesterday, I dropped my 13-year-old son off at an educational program just outside of Washington, D.C. It’s a program that he was nominated for by his sixth-grade teacher and he’s been looking forward to it for the past year.
It sounds like a wonderful way to spend a week: He’ll visit Gettysburg, Jamestown, Williamsburg and all the sights in D.C. During the parent orientation yesterday, the facilitator said we all probably wished we were 13 again, so we could go too. And she was right -I think we were all ready to take a week off, be driven around and learn all about our country’s history.
Parents were all happy. All smiles. Some – especially parents of kids from the West Coast – were a little concerned about the 6 a.m. wake-up time for the kids, but basically we all nodded to each other, commenting on how fortunate our kids were to have such an experience.
But when started driving back to New York on I-95, it all hit me: I’m leaving my son, my biggest baby, with strangers. In Washington. And tomorrow is Sept. 11. I must be out of my mind. Suppose these people are insane? What if they’re part of a cult? What if they’re not as nice and wholesome as they seem? And that led me to think of many of my colleagues and friends, who have had to drop their kids off at college, and how traumatic it was for many of the parents. It made me REALLY glad to know that college is still 5 years away for me.
I’m not sure why this parting troubled me so. My son has gone to weeklong sleepaway camp, and has spent many evenings at friends’ sleepovers. But there was something so serious about this, that it made me think about how I’ll deal with him leaving for college. I supposed I still have five years to get ready for that.
Is parting with your child difficult? Do you find that it gets even more difficult as they get older? Am I just a wimp? Share your thoughts – And I can take the heat.
This entry was posted
on Tuesday, September 11th, 2007 at 5:31 pm by Gayle T. Williams.
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Gayle, you’re definitely a wimp…..:)
Seriously though, that sounds like a great program. It also sounds like an honor to be suggested for it. You should be very proud that your son was selected.
I’ve visited all those places except Jamestown, but in separate trips. That’s a trip I would have loved at your son’s age. I remember how much I enjoyed one-day trips to Philadelphia and Washington at a similar age.
I think your reaction to leaving your son down in Washington is a normal mother’s reaction. Parents sometimes underestimate their child’s readiness to take on new challenges, and are ambivalent about seeing them take those first steps in the direction of independence.
I’m not sure why this trip upset you more than something like sleepaway camp. Maybe it’s the distance involved, the fact that he’s at least 5 hours away, while the sleepaway camp is closer, I assume. Maybe it’s that this trip has a more adult theme to it.
You’ll be happy when he comes home with great stories, and you see what a good and broadening experience it has been for him.
My child was also nominated for that program…and yes..I was a wimp, she did not go. It would have been too traumatic for ME!...I know, I know…let it go, Linda…I need just a little more time…in 20 years, I should be fine.
You are hardly a wimp, Linda. It’s a huge step to take to let your child go to another state, without you, for a week! (I’m ignoring you, David!)
Take all the time you need, Linda. But she might need to leave you a little before 20 years from now…
I know…and like your son, she is quite responsible. I am sure with a little prayer, I will allow her to go on these extended trips. It is important for her maturity and to let her know how much I trust her. Thanks for the encouragement.