Sure my daughter had been on what I considered field trips before. She’d gone with family and friends to the museum and the mall, to parks and playgrounds. Her preschool teachers had even taken her out for ice cream as a special outing. But there’s something about that big yellow school bus that makes a field trip truly “official.” Watching her get on that bus for the first time made my little girl seem so grown up.
Standing behind the line of excited kids, I realized then that my baby was going places without me – and she’d be just fine. “Ohhh…” a handful of moms and I sighed as the bus pulled away with us snapping photos and waving frantically at our children – some of us with tears in our eyes. “They’re growing up so quickly, and it’s so hard letting go.”
Then, as parent volunteers, we got in our cars and followed the bus.
Isn’t this how it is watching our babies grow up? We’re excited to see them grow and experience new things, but we’re sad/nervous/scared to watch them go without us. This photo was taken many years ago, and I’ve since sent my daughter on many field trips and bus rides without me in tow. I’ve realized that not only is she okay without me, she can soar and fly! It’s an amazing feeling knowing that I’m raising a confident young woman who always wants to try new adventures – knowing in her heart that mom and dad are always there for her, even if they’re not following her in their car.
Question: Do you find it hard to watch your children grow up and have more experiences that you are not a part of?
Challenge: The next time you start to feel that little ache that comes from watching your children grow up, take the time to record the moment by journaling or taking a photograph or both. That way, someday down the road, when you’re not feeling so vulnerable, you’ll be able to cherish the memory of those moments.
Photo submitted by Patty Park
3 comments
Claire says:
Dec 12, 2012
I definitely relate to this! When my son started preschool, it was really hard adjusting to the fact that there was now a part of his life that was separate from me. Even though I’m pretty involved with preschool, and his teacher is great about communicating with me, it was still weird to drop him off and leave him to navigate this new world without me. I know these experiences will only multiply as he gets older, and it is definitely challenging for me.
dani.churchill says:
Dec 16, 2012
My daughter starts kindergarten next fall and I’ve been stressing about it for the past year. I know she will LOVE it, but it’s hard to let her go and have all these experiences without me, even if I know she will do great.
Patty Park says:
Dec 18, 2012
Hi Dani,
I completely understand. My older daughter is in 6th grade this year, but I remember her first day of Kindergarten like it was yesterday. You’re right – your daughter will probably love it, but it’s definitely still hard to let go as a mom! You are not alone. Take lots of pics of your daughter’s first day, as I’m sure you will!