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| Andrew (March 4,2015) |
Today my 17-year-old son
left to Winnipeg, Manitoba to participate in a national youth conference. He'll be gone for four days. I am so nervous, perhaps I shouldn’t be because after all he has been away
before. The first time was when he was in grade 7 and then the following year
for 10 days on a school odyssey trip. Not to mention for the past two summers he has been away for part of the summer taking summer courses at a
university.
I
thought it would get easier each time he leaves, but I am still filled with some
trepidation. I suppose that is what we moms feel whenever we send our kids off
somewhere without us. It’s hard for me to let him go but giving
him space is the best way for a young man to exercise his wings.
He is also feeling
nervous and somewhat pensive. Making an unsuccessful last minute attempt to
negotiate with hubby to let him stay home. Although it gives me some relief knowing that he will be with a
group and not totally on his own. :)
More importantly I acknowledge this
is will be a good experience for him to be making decisions and taking responsibility for
himself. Indeed, this youth forum is
likely just the thing he needs to strengthen his wings. There will be between 250-300 students from
across Canada and no doubt some of them with less experience than him and
others in their first and second year of University. I am hoping that he will
see the diversity between the youth, learn some valuable knowledge and skills,
and make some friends; all this will prepare him to some degree for being away at university
next year.
UPDATE: This is a link to a blog update on the the 4 day youth conference!
2 comments:
I like the title of your post - 'Exercising his Wings". It says it all.
It's quite natural for both, you and your charming Andrew to feel what you feel about his leaving home to participate in a youth conference.
However, this conference will be an important experience for him, and worth undergoing it.
I hear you. I still feel this way sometimes with one child living 8 hours away and one living 48 hours away. And then I remind myself that I only grow outside my comfort zone.
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