Sleepovers and growing up
Last night my daughter (#2 that is) spent the night at her friend's house. This is only the 2nd time she did this not counting family. The 1st time was when she was 4 and it was with a friend she had practically grown up with, who lives about 7 miles from our house. She did fine then so one would guess she would do fine now.
Before the big day I talked with her to feel her out about not being at home. In the conversation I said something to the effect of missing her while she is gone, but not being sad because I know that she would be having so much fun, and I would see her the next day. She agreed with me, but then promptly grabbed pencil and paper to write me 3 notes to read in case I was sad. I believe my conversation made her think more about me than her feelings, possible backfire but it could not have ended better.
I then wrote her two notes, per her request one for Friday evening, another for Saturday morning put them in her bookbag with clothes, pajamas etc. As I saig goodbye to her at school she was elated about her day. What happened that afternoon took me by suprise. As I returned home from the events of the day I began thinking about her and feeling uneasy. This was not the pit of your stomach worry, just an uncomfortable feeling from entering unchartered waters. I left her at school, and truly didn't know what she was doing, or that she had arrived at the destination via bus etc. In my heart I knew that she was fine, and I needn't worry but never before do I recall feeling this way. Wow, this is just the beginning of letting them go, of balancing the line of letting them grow up, and shielding from what you can.
Ironic of the past it is my 2nd child who leads me down this road first. My oldest son has had many sleepovers at our house. For some strange reason non of these children's parents have returned the invite. I never truly minded, how better to know exactly the influences upon your child than to have them in your own home. Later that evening I headed to my part time job. The thoughts came and went in passing but at approx 10:30 it occurred to me I could have called and verified her arrival. I knew that if the girls didn't make it home I would have heard about it, but it was an excuse that would have been useful. Of course the dear people I work with chose to use this information as a form of harassment the rest of the night:0
Sadly my youngest child decided that 6:40 was an appropriate time to wake up, leaving me with 4 1/2 hours sleep. Once awake for some time I had a recollection of the notes. I picked the first one up, and it brought tears to my eyes. It said, "Dear Mommy I am awase with you wen I am gon. I love you. Xoxox Love #2.
Another note even said, "Thak you." I would assume for letting her spend the night. Here is one of those moments that speaks great job Mom. You have taught them something even when it doesn't always feel like it. At that very moment there was nothing else I needed.
Before the big day I talked with her to feel her out about not being at home. In the conversation I said something to the effect of missing her while she is gone, but not being sad because I know that she would be having so much fun, and I would see her the next day. She agreed with me, but then promptly grabbed pencil and paper to write me 3 notes to read in case I was sad. I believe my conversation made her think more about me than her feelings, possible backfire but it could not have ended better.
I then wrote her two notes, per her request one for Friday evening, another for Saturday morning put them in her bookbag with clothes, pajamas etc. As I saig goodbye to her at school she was elated about her day. What happened that afternoon took me by suprise. As I returned home from the events of the day I began thinking about her and feeling uneasy. This was not the pit of your stomach worry, just an uncomfortable feeling from entering unchartered waters. I left her at school, and truly didn't know what she was doing, or that she had arrived at the destination via bus etc. In my heart I knew that she was fine, and I needn't worry but never before do I recall feeling this way. Wow, this is just the beginning of letting them go, of balancing the line of letting them grow up, and shielding from what you can.
Ironic of the past it is my 2nd child who leads me down this road first. My oldest son has had many sleepovers at our house. For some strange reason non of these children's parents have returned the invite. I never truly minded, how better to know exactly the influences upon your child than to have them in your own home. Later that evening I headed to my part time job. The thoughts came and went in passing but at approx 10:30 it occurred to me I could have called and verified her arrival. I knew that if the girls didn't make it home I would have heard about it, but it was an excuse that would have been useful. Of course the dear people I work with chose to use this information as a form of harassment the rest of the night:0
Sadly my youngest child decided that 6:40 was an appropriate time to wake up, leaving me with 4 1/2 hours sleep. Once awake for some time I had a recollection of the notes. I picked the first one up, and it brought tears to my eyes. It said, "Dear Mommy I am awase with you wen I am gon. I love you. Xoxox Love #2.
Another note even said, "Thak you." I would assume for letting her spend the night. Here is one of those moments that speaks great job Mom. You have taught them something even when it doesn't always feel like it. At that very moment there was nothing else I needed.
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