Slice of Life is a weekly event hosted by Two Writing Teachers.
Letting your child grow up is hard. I am very close with my daughter. I think it's because we are always together. We go to separate schools, but after school, we are together. Either I'm bringing her to her after school activities, and even those, sometimes we do those together - twice a week she has swim practice and I have masters swim practice at the same time, in the same pool. On the weekends, we're together. My daughter requires intense surgeries with long recovery times that has us relocating to Florida together for an extended time. I'm with her everyday during that time. We butt heads and argue frequently. But I'm the parent she goes to when she needs help or when she is dealing with an upsetting situation. I love it.
But letting her grow up is hard. She's been asking to go to swim camp this summer. Several girls from her team are going and I've heard positive things about it. It's hosted by a college that is about a 50 min drive from our house. It is a 5 day camp and it looks like she will learn a lot. But it's a sleepover camp. She won't be home for 5 days. She's ready. I'm not sure I am. I worry about her staying organized. I feel like there will be a trail of her things that stretch from her dorm room to the pool. She's going to need her friends to walk behind her and make sure they grab all that would be lost!
I worry she won't take her allergy medicines. I worry she won't get up on time. I'm worried she'll stay up too late and then feel poorly the next day. I worry she won't eat her meals because she'll be too busy talking. Funny with all my worries I don't worry about what she'll do in the pool - I know she'll be fine there!
I have to trust my daughter's care with people I don't know. I have to trust that they'll do right with her. I have to trust that all my conversations with my daughter about what is right and what is wrong will stay with her when I'm not there giving her the "eye" to help remind her.
When do we stop worrying as a parent? Don't worry, you don't have to answer that. I already know.
This will be the longest 5 days of my life. I'm going to feel like a part of me is gone. I'll be really glad to see her when camp is over.
Funny how her leaving is hardest on me.
I worry she won't take her allergy medicines. I worry she won't get up on time. I'm worried she'll stay up too late and then feel poorly the next day. I worry she won't eat her meals because she'll be too busy talking. Funny with all my worries I don't worry about what she'll do in the pool - I know she'll be fine there!
I have to trust my daughter's care with people I don't know. I have to trust that they'll do right with her. I have to trust that all my conversations with my daughter about what is right and what is wrong will stay with her when I'm not there giving her the "eye" to help remind her.
When do we stop worrying as a parent? Don't worry, you don't have to answer that. I already know.
This will be the longest 5 days of my life. I'm going to feel like a part of me is gone. I'll be really glad to see her when camp is over.
Funny how her leaving is hardest on me.
What a great opportunity for both of you.
ReplyDeleteOh, Michele, my girls are only 2 and 5 years old, but I know exactly how you feel. Letting go is so, so hard. She's going to do great, she's going to have fun, and she's going to be just fine. So will you. I hope you'll Slice about her experience after she returns. :)
ReplyDeleteIt is hard when they start to grow up and need space - but it's also the beginning of a wonderful new phase of independence our kids need. She'll have lots of stories to tell!
ReplyDeleteIt's quite wonderful you are letting her go with a smile and a hug (right?). That's the next step for the relationship, but it is hard. It was hard when my son, daughter-in-law & grandson moved to another state several years ago, but I don't want them to think they need to stick around, even as "older" adults. They need to fly into new spaces, just like your daughter. Still, it's hard. Hugs to you, Michele.
ReplyDeleteUgh. You are breaking my heart! I can't imagine the day ... Yet, think about how wonderful this will be for your daughter. Think about the experience she will have. Think about all the learning opportunities. You can still be in touch via text messages, right? Plan something special for you ... it will be a long 5 days, but think about that return. The big hug and all the excitement and stories she will tell. I can already hear the nonstop talking ... Grasp onto all the positive this opportunity will provide her. (Remind me of all this in the years to come ... I'm having a tough time with kindergarten starting this fall!!!) I can't wait to hear about both your experiences later this year.
ReplyDelete(I'm way behind on reading blogs, which is why I'm commenting on this post 2 weeks late!) I could so relate to this post, Michele. Now that I'm a parent, I know the answer to your question: IT IS DEFINITELY HARDER FOR THE PARENT! My son wants to do sleepaway camp with some friends this coming summer, and I've said yes, but I have so many reservations. I know it's something he needs to do, and I know I'm going to have to learn how to let go, but it is hard, hard stuff.
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