As the proud owner of an 18 year old on the brink of leaving home (assuming he gets the results required to get into the university of his choice) I am beginning to learn how to let go and stop worrying about him when he’s out of my sight. Given that finishing A Levels appears to be the excuse to pack in about eight different post exam holidays where they don’t appear to get any sleep for days on end, to worry about them daily would simply result in a heart attack I suspect.
He is about to embark on an 3 week tour of “cheap beers” around Europe with five of his friends. The thought of it fills me with horror. In my day, when we all went inter-railing around Europe our parents simply had to wave us off with our rucksacks and hope for the best. Now we have a means of spying on them, of tracking their route. Sort of like giving them a bar code or a little mini camera to put on to their heads. We can check in and even sometimes expect a reply. Now that he’s 18 he has finally added me as a “friend” on Facebook so that I can see what they’re all up to. Initially I was delighted – how wonderful to be able to share in his experience, but I have to say it’s not for the weak hearted and I’m wondering if perhaps it was better for my parents who were blissfully ignorant about what we all got up to. Mostly it’s all rather horrifying and you wish you hadn’t looked…
My friend called me this morning. “OMIGOD, I’ve just had a look at Jack’s photos and I’m quite sure, although his head is turned to the side that it’s not a spot he’s got on his lower lip, IT”S A NEW PIERCING! I’m going to kill him.” I too discovered that my son had allowed himself to be branded with yet another tattoo whilst on holiday recently in Cyprus. Then you have to look at photos of them behaving badly in nightclubs and dancing on tables – “who ARE all those people he’s with?” I constantly think to myself.
Still, it’s a brave new world out there and we might as well get on it with them and I guess it’s reassuring to know they’re still alive.
What do you think?
Working Mum
August 8, 2011I suspect ignorance is bliss compared to following them on facebook and seeing the ugly truth. At least if they just checked in with you with a phone call or text every few days they could kid you that they were behaving themselves and you’d be happy! Ah, the joys of modern parenting……..
Family Affairs
August 8, 2011Exactly x
Expat Mum
August 8, 2011And there’s another side, which I’ve just posted about on Mad Manic Mamas (http://www.madmanicmamas.blogspot.com) – they still need you by their side.
JoW
August 9, 2011I would just be grateful that he/they are abroad. I have just had to try to explain why I would rather my 19 year-old son didn’t go to Croydon today.
Family Affairs
August 9, 2011I know. Scary stuff Lx