Musings from a middle school reading specialist. I encourage my students to read, talk, write, and have fun!
I parent two amazing young-adult daughters with my husband of 30+ years.

March 21, 2015

Sending Her Off SOLC #21

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Tonight Allison will hop on a bus with her school choir and travel to New York City.  \
This is her big first trip without parents or grandparents.  She has to be in charge of herself.
She's 16, so this should not be a big deal.  

But it's a big deal.

Allison is my younger, right-brained, clock-ignoring, carefree, Mixed Cereal daughter.  I (unfortunately) have been her alarm clock and task adviser for 16 years.

The girl has an alarm clock that lights up like the sun and creates bird noises that could wake the dead.  Do I let her learn how to get out of bed?  Nope.
I walk past her door every morning and tell myself, "I WILL NOT WAKE HER UP TODAY!"
And then I go in and give the Morning Speech.

Ugh.  If she misses something on this trip, it will be all. my. fault.

I've been encouraged told straight out by experts and friends to let her fail.  Let her be late.  Let her face the consequences.

But I can't.  I haven't.  I should have.

So now I will send her off to NYC.  I hope and wish that she will use some of her own time management skills (and her new watch) to stay on time and not be left behind.

oh boy.





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15 comments:

  1. Mary Ann ReillyMarch 21, 2015 at 8:33 AM

    I bet she will surprise you. And if she misses something, at 16 it will be on her. I ave chaperoned the end of the year senior trip and no one missed the bus. They are often more responsible away from home. Hope she has a fabulous time in NYC.

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  2. Mary Ann ReillyMarch 21, 2015 at 8:33 AM

    I bet she will surprise you. And if she misses something, at 16 it will be on her. I ave chaperoned the end of the year senior trip and no one missed the bus. They are often more responsible away from home. Hope she has a fabulous time in NYC.

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  3. AnonymousMarch 21, 2015 at 8:34 AM

    What fun for your daughter, and how nerve wracking for you! I remember my son's first out of state school trip in 7th grade (the band director passed $ out daily) and all my fears were groundless. Letting go is sooooooo hard!

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  4. AnonymousMarch 21, 2015 at 8:34 AM

    What fun for your daughter, and how nerve wracking for you! I remember my son's first out of state school trip in 7th grade (the band director passed $ out daily) and all my fears were groundless. Letting go is sooooooo hard!

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  5. AnonymousMarch 21, 2015 at 8:40 AM

    I'm sure she will do fine, building independence along the way. If she misses something, she will learn from that too. Letting go is hard, but important as our children grown. Good luck!

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  6. AnonymousMarch 21, 2015 at 8:40 AM

    I'm sure she will do fine, building independence along the way. If she misses something, she will learn from that too. Letting go is hard, but important as our children grown. Good luck!

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  7. LynnMarch 21, 2015 at 8:56 AM

    So so excited for her! You know it's one of my favorite places! Hey no worries it's the city that never sleeps! She won't have to worry about waking up :-) and btw Chris I would be doing the very same thing! She is a great kid and you waking her up has not scarred her yet! When she is out of the house she will be or get an alarm clock! For now take care of your baby she won't be there for ever! xoxo

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  8. drferreriblogspot.comMarch 21, 2015 at 9:27 AM

    I'm sure she will find inner strength she didn't know she had. When my son was a newbie teacher, I worried he would be late every day. I called the first few days....but then I knew I had to let go...and I did...and he did...at least most days :)

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  9. LibraryDragon/StorykeeperMarch 21, 2015 at 9:50 AM

    It goes against everything we want for them. It is very hard not to rescue them when they don't make great choices. When she comes back you both will have things to celebrate. Her newly realized responsibility and your independence from being her alarm clock. This will be a great milestone to celebrate. You both will do well.

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  10. Rose CappelliMarch 21, 2015 at 10:24 AM

    Somehow our children rise to the occasion! I had similar experiences with my son, but he never let me down! Hope you don't spend the weekend worrying!

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  11. travelinmaMarch 21, 2015 at 12:51 PM

    Traveling changes you forever. Wishing your daughter the gathering of memories that will carry with her always.

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  12. travelinmaMarch 21, 2015 at 12:51 PM

    Traveling changes you forever. Wishing your daughter the gathering of memories that will carry with her always.

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  13. AnonymousMarch 21, 2015 at 1:22 PM

    I can relate. At some point, natural consequences do have to kick in. Sometimes, I think that as parents we react worse than the kids do when something happens. Better now than missing that final exam in college! Hope she has a great time!

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  14. MichelleMarch 21, 2015 at 4:47 PM

    Allison will be just fine. Have faith and I know she will surprise you! And may even have a funny story or two to share, but still she will be all good!

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  15. AnonymousMarch 22, 2015 at 11:17 PM

    She will have a great time making memories and becoming more independent along the way. She will be fine and so will you! xoxo!!

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