My Baby Left Home Today ...
We have just come home, after waving goodbye to Chicky and her Year 6 classmates, who are off on a 5 day adventure camp. They won't be home until Friday afternoon. Four nights away from home. What am I gonna do ??? (For those of you who don't know, I am the mother of only one child ... so without her, I have no responsibilities ... other than my Hubby of course !!).
I was very good, I stayed happy and cheery and excited for her, so that she wouldn't get upset ... she is a very emotional child, and a real mummy's girl (and daddy's girl, too), and she was on the edge of tears a couple of times. She kept coming back numerous times, to give us more hugs and kisses, before boarding the bus. We stood near her window on the bus, waving and smiling, until the bus left ... I could see she was near tears, I controlled myself !! We walked back to our car, I started driving home .... and I started bawling !!! Couldn't help it, don't know where it came from ... thought I was OK by then !! Nope, I'm a sook, my eyes leaked all the way home !!
I'm feeling calm now. Although, the house already feels different (even though she would normally be at school now anyway !!). I think it's gonna be a looooong week. Can't wait to see her Friday afternoon. I know she is going to have a great time, and I am really happy and excited for her ... that doesn't mean I can't feel sad for me, does it ?!?!
Enough about that, I'm about to cry again !!!
Yesterday was a great day (cold ...well, kinda freezing, actually ... but good nonetheless!). Chicky and her team participated in a Netball Round Robin ... where they play numerous games throughout the day, ending in finals and an eventual winner. Well, they played 4 matches (they were shortened somewhat, but still good games), and won 3 of them, and the other was a draw. This put them on top of the ladder, so then they had the Semi-Final ... which they won convincingly. This then put them automatically through to the Grand Final. They played a great game, very exciting, lots of yelling and clapping (that was from us, the parent cheer-squad!) ... and they won. Yay, they were the Grand Finalists ... what stars !!! They played brilliantly, it was so much fun to watch. I'm glad I was there. Unfortunately, only half the parents from her team showed up ... it was a very long day ...it started at 9am and went to 3pm ... and was very, very cold (the coldest day this year, so far !!) ... but we were good parents and stayed to support our kids. I am so glad I did. They were so excited ... they have never won a Grand Final before. The looks on their faces were magical.
Saturday was a reasonably busy day ... Chicky had Netball in the morning, then we had a 40th birthday party in the afternoon. Had a lazy evening at home, watching TV.
We are enjoying another beautiful Autumn's day today (we have had a few really cold, wet ones over the last few days) ... the sun is out, but it is still quite cold. I'm about to head out and do some shopping, then I'll be back to read all your blogs.
Have a great week, friends.
Take care,
MEOW
25 comments:
I sometimes think trips like the one Chicky is on are warmups for parents for when their kids go either off to college or to live on their own with their first real jobs and perhaps even spouses. When you think about it you really want this for your kids but it is still a hard time for you, the parent, to give them up. Take advantage of the time to go do some of those things you have been putting off due to a lack of enough time.
chicky will have a wonderful time..Enjoy the peace and quiet while it lasts:)
she will be back before ya know it:-)
I agree with Dick, Meow. These little short trips are helping wean you away from each other a little at a time, so each time she goes away for a trip, she gains a little more independence, and you learn to let go a little more. It does get better, I promise. I am about to have to let my 18yr daughter go to college in August, so I know how you feel. But your Chickie will be home later in the week, and my daughter will only be 15 minutes away. We can handle that, can't we? :-)
Bless your heart sweetie! Dick is right, but that doesn't make it any easier!!! She'll have fun. We're hear, feel free to cry all you need.
By the way, I am a terrible person for never sending a post card. I am so sorry. I've been overwhelmed with life. Someday out of the blue...you'll get one :)
It sounds like you both need a little practice at this parting business Meow, don't worry she will be back before you know it.
Just to cheer you up a bit it is still shorts and shirt weather in Queensland, there you feel better already don't you???
I bet she stopped crying as soon as you were out of sight.
What a great experience for her. Mine didn't get camp until 5th grade and then it was connected with school.
And yes I missed them.
Dick ... I agree. I really do want her to have a good time, and I am really excited for her, and know she will have fun without me. This will be the longest we have been apart since she was born.
Bossy Britches ... thank you, I will enjoy not having to get up early !!
Diane ... I know it is good for her to be without me, and me to be without her. But that doesn't mean I have to like it, does it !?!?! I'm still a Mummy's Girl, and sook when my parents go away for any length of time. You should have seen me when they went to Germany 2 years ago for 6 weeks ... I was a mess at the airport !!!
Barbara ... thank you, I may just take you up on it !!! Don't stress about the postcard, it's cool.
Peter ... yep, practice makes perfect !!! Hey, you know, I could run around in shorts and t-shirts if I wanted to ... I have the heating on, it's warm in here !!!
Thanks, friends. I know I am a big baby. That's just who I am.
Have a great week.
Take care, Meow
Granny ... we must have been posting at the same time, sorry. And you are so right ... out of sight, out of mind !! This is her 3rd camp with school ... the first in Year 4 was for 2 nights, last year was for one night, then this year. It's a wonderful experience for her, she will have a ball. And I get to share the stories & pictures when she gets home !!
Take care, Meow
I understand your tears! But I'm sure everything will be fine and she'll be home before you know it :o)
I do know how you feel. My son is only child too. When he was young and he needed to go on a boys scout camping trip, it almost break my heart to let him go.
Jona ... thank you, and I know. It is already Monday evening ... one day gone, 4 to go !!!
Fridays Child ... I imagine all mums feel this way, whether they have one child or a whole football team full, at some stage. I know she is safe, and having fun, and I am looking forward to her coming home again on Friday. In the mean time, I will be fine, too !!
Take care, Meow
Wow, Blog of the week at FTS, I'm impressed,
you are moving in seect company there Meow.
I know it must be hard for you but it's very good for her, she needs to get that confidence, which doesn't mean she won't enjoy being you with at home anymore.
She'll be back very soon :)
She'll be back soon enough.
I think she'll have fun on this trip. But I bet she's also missing you much!!!
I sent some postcards today. They told me you should get them in 4 to seven days.
Awww, poor honey. *I* would've been bawling too. My son is an only son and we're extremely close and very much alike (which makes us even closer). I hate not seeing him and think of him constantly. Once, after the divorce, he had to go with his dad (I tried to encourage it and be brave about it) and his dad ended up having to haul him to the van, with his little arms stretched out to me, screaming for mommy. I shushed him, waved good bye, then went inside and promptly had hysterics.
At least she'll be home soon, and you did the right thing. It's harder for US to let go of THEM, I often think.
Poor you! I hope you both end up enjoying the time.
Ohhhhh I can only imagine how hard that was, saying goodbye for the week. I still get sad leaving my daughter at her grandparents' overnight. Okay, so I get sad once the night out is over and we get home to an empty house. LOL But I miss her and look at my watch all night, thinking "Right about now she's having dinner" and all that. I hope you get some nice R&R this week and enjoy some "you time".
I don't have any kids (yet) but I imagine I would feel the same way! I remember when I went to camp the first time, I was 7 or 8. I'm sure she will come home with lots of fun stories, and probably some crafty little gifts for you.
Peter ... yeah, I was pretty impressed. I must be doing something right !!
Devil Mood ... I know she will be having a ball. It is Tuesday morning here, and I have survived the night ... I'm sure she is up and running also.
Angel ... I'll be looking forward to the card, thank you. Yours is also on it's way.
Saurkraut ... I agree, it is sooo good for her to get away like this. And I think once we were out of sight, she would be so busy she won't have much time to think of us. She'll be fine.
Kimananda ... It will certainly be an interesting week on my part !!
Loraloo ... we were sitting watching TV last night, and it was weird knowing she wasn't in her room. Kind of empty.
Jenn ... I'm sure she will talk non-stop whe she comes home, and will be remembering things she hasn't told us for weeks to come. Should be fun.
Thanks friends, take care, Meow
Love and hugs to you, Meow!
I know that this must be very hard, but try and enjoy all the free momnents to yourself while you have the chance and then you will enjoy having her back even that much more. xo
Maddy ... it is a very odd feeling, even during the day when she would normally be at school. I feel very strange.
Cathy ... thank you. I actually usually have enough free moments when she is at school ... don't really want or need any more. (I think I am sounding very selfish !). I can't wait to see her again ... it is Mother's Day on Sunday ... thank goodness they will be home before then !!
Take care, Meow
aw, poor mommy! that's a tough bridge I haven't had to cross yet!
Kyahgirl ... it's tough letting them get onto that bus, knowing you won't see them for a few days. I am so used to having her around (other than when she's at school) all the time. We are great mates ... I feel like I've lost a limb at times !! Oh well, it's part of them growing up !! I'll survive, and she is having a ball, I am sure.
Take care, Meow
four nights away from home. What am I gonna do ???
Ummm, I know what WE do when the kids are away... ;)
Gette ... thanks for visiting, and I get your meaning !!!! Don't worry, that did cross our minds !!
Take care, Meow
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