They're growing up!

Where did the time go? Now I have a 20 yr old and an 18 yr old. It seems like just yesterday that they were in elementary school and needing us a little more than they do now.

The other day we had a radio interview with Dr. Michael Ungar who has written a book about teens with a penchant for risk-taking or responsibility-seeking. I'll elaborate on our interview in a future blog but first I'd like to put down some thoughts of our children maturing and growing up.

Our daughter just arrived home from a school trip to Costa Rica. Quite well organized and not a lot of risks from the travel end of things but certainly from growing up with a few personal challenges. My wife and I thought that she, after two weeks away, would be ready to be home. Well no her first words to me was how she could have stayed for a longer period. Yes, she was happy to see us but she expressed that the trip taught her that she can do this without the homesickness.

As she finishes up her high school years, she is now looking further afield—to travel and explore the world. Her experiences in the past weeks being billeted with a Costa Rican family gave her a mature insight into another culture. Although she had some “touristy type” experiences she felt that she gained so much from not staying at hotels and doing tourist things. This was another one of those turning points to being an independent young woman.

During the past couple of weeks, while my daughter was away, our son has come to the conclusion that he needs to move away for his academic and sports pursuits. He has realised that what he wants in life is not necessarily here (at this point in time).

I often hear parents saying that it is cheaper to go to college or university in town. Why go away? I spent my undergraduate years away from home. It was a good experience for me. I had to take on the responsibilty of looking after my needs. Too often today, we are taking that opportunity away from our children. We must find ways to allow them to take on life away from us. Yes, we are there to support them but on their terms.

This all leads into my blog on our discussion with Michael Ungar in the next day or so.