Spidey’s Serene Sunday #416 – Spreading His Wings

26 Feb 2023 37 Comments

by Ritu in Spidey's Serene Sundays Tags: , , , , , , ,

“Give the ones you love wings to fly, roots to come back, reasons to stay.”

The Dalai Lama

Oh, Spidey, don’t remind me…

By the time this post goes live, I will have been awake before the crack of dawn, dropping a certain (not so) Lil Man off and back, sitting there, worrying about him for the first of three days…

He’s off abroad with his college for the first time!

And I know this is where it starts.

I am so happy he is going, as he didn’t want to, but I am so aware of children needing to learn independence and share rich experiences.

But… it is so hard letting them go!

The last time he did an overnight trip, it was at primary school. He was in the country, not far away, and my colleagues were the adults supervising, so it didn’t feel so bad.

This time, he will be in a different country in charge of currency, his passport (for a short while, until the teacher in-charge takes it for safe-keeping!) and not going over his roaming allowance on his phone! (As well as looking after himself, not missing time deadlines and keeping track of his luggage!)

Nervous? Me?

Don’t be silly, of course I’m not! (I’m lying… I am really nervous!)

I just want him to have a good time, and a productive trip at the conference he is attending, as well as having fun with his friends.

The thing is, I know I have to get him to spread his wings. In fact, we are actively encouraging it. He takes his A-Levels soon and doesn’t want to go to University, so there is an element of independence that he isn’t going to experience straight away. It’s unlikely that he will leave home any time soon if he starts an apprenticeship, as, well, why would you, if you have a roof over your head and no rent to pay!

Breathe, Ritu, breathe. This is just the start!

So, Peeps, how have you coped with the kids growing up, if you have been through it? 😊

37 Comments (+add yours?)

  1. OIKOS™- Art, Books & more
    Mar 01, 2023 @ 09:41:59

    At least Sonu will stay with you, Sis! 🙂 I fully understand, but i myself had a mother who clung like an apes mother. 😉 xx Michael

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  2. Jennie
    Feb 28, 2023 @ 22:28:57

    Roots and wings. Yes, it is SO hard to let go, but you did the important part- the roots! So, Lil Man will be fine. 💕

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  3. robbiesinspiration
    Feb 28, 2023 @ 17:21:32

    HI Ritu, my sons haven’t been abroad on their own yet. They have been to school camps and that sort of thing although Michael only went once pre-Covid and has been to sickly to go ever since. Greg is driving now and I find that quite stressful especially as his University is in a very busy location and the electricity is off 6 – 8 hours a day currently so the robots/traffic lights don’t work and all intersections are four-way stops.

    Liked by 1 person

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  4. SC Skillman
    Feb 27, 2023 @ 09:14:49

    I identify with this Ritu as my daughter is now living & working in Australia, where she has been for 4 years, though she is back here in the UK for a holiday in June, staying in her former room here where her roots are. She found a little handcrafted picture in Australia, with text on it , which says, ‘Thank you for helping me to grow & watching me fly.’ I have it hanging on our bedroom wall.

    Liked by 1 person

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  5. Annette Rochelle Aben
    Feb 27, 2023 @ 01:44:43

    ❤

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  6. johnrieber
    Feb 26, 2023 @ 16:35:47

    Having been a boy of that age, I can only imagine the same worry my Mom had and guess what? It all turned out OK! He will make mistakes as everyone does, but your guidance to this point and beyond will indeed guide him down the right path!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  7. willowdot21
    Feb 26, 2023 @ 11:21:51

    It’s not easy Sis but it is so important, I have had to go through it three times. The eldest left home for good at the age of 18yrs. They other two left at not much older! They all did school trips too! Russia, Italian Skiing , scout trips, cycling trip.
    I always used to worry but look at them now all coping…in fact the eldest has been all over the world . Infact the other week he told me that other lads got upset at camp missing home…. his exact words were, “I loved it mum …no one was the boss of me” …I wonder if I got it wrong…see you’ve got me worried now 🤣🐱🤣… He will thrive 💜💜💜💜

    Liked by 1 person

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  8. beth
    Feb 26, 2023 @ 11:08:14

    it is hard as a parent, but know that these are the experiences that will help his grow and learn, more than any book

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  9. TanGental
    Feb 26, 2023 @ 09:41:45

    Phew. Yep, it’s hard. The lad going to Uni was tough but putting the lass on a plane – she was 18 – to fly, alone to South Africa and travel to the Botswana border to work with a game park Vet was game changing. It never really leaves you, the rumbling anxiety… she’s now 30 married and has visited nearly 50 different countries! Often travelling alone… gulp.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • Ritu
      Feb 26, 2023 @ 10:24:50

      That’s the worry my parents had with my brother. He was all over the show.
      I was a few hours away in Uni, and made a couple if abroad trips, but none were solo!
      Lil Man really wants to be independent. And I’m happy he’s taking that first step, but I know we’ll worry the whole time he’s away, because he’s a typical boy who forgets to message!!!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  10. Sadje
    Feb 26, 2023 @ 06:52:02

    I can understand your stress and worry. But it’s essential for him to take this first step. Wishing both of you all the best.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  11. petespringerauthor
    Feb 26, 2023 @ 06:51:40

    Our son turned 30 this year and will be married in June. It’s a little hard initially, (more on us than him) but we raised him to be independent. It’s one of his best qualities. He’s grown into a fabulous man, and we’re incredibly proud. When he went to college, he lived 7 hours away and now lives almost 30 hours away. He’s good about checking in with us occasionally and letting us know what’s happening. The rest of it takes care of itself as long as they’re happy.

    Liked by 1 person

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  12. Destiny
    Feb 26, 2023 @ 05:11:07

    Always a mum first, Ritu. 🤗
    And as hard as you try not to worry, you’re going to be a nervous wreck. Personally, have not been through it (my girls are still too small thankfully 😁)
    but I watch my elder sisters when it comes to their kids, and they drive us insane with their worries.
    Though all in the name of a “mother’s love”
    🤗

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

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