Children Eventually Grow Wings to Fly

How we master the complexities of flight?

The excitement of new adventure, reunion and independence...this is the gamut of thoughts and feelings, I am sure my children felt on their recent excellent airplane adventure.

As always, it starts with me…scheduling has become my forte over the years, fitting as much into a week to keep me and my children busy. The echo of a woman laughing in the waiting room of the chiropractor’s office and saying, “Well, I’m not going to be one of those Moms that drives herself and her family to the ground by over-booking”; there is a distant reminder in the back of my head, “Hey that IS you, what are you doing?”

This summer as always, I started early to look at possible things for summer activities. I do believe the children need to be involved in “something”. This is while I, for the first time in years, work full time. “Aaaa…” was my inner self stressing over the thoughts of an all day PJ party, an empty fridge and not a whole lot of cleaning or picking up after themselves. Heck, yah!

Well, one brilliant idea was to send them to Toronto to visit my family. This was to gain some quality time with Grandpa, Grandma, my brother, his family, and all the other extended family we have back there…not to mention to get myself sorted out with some alone time and their rooms with a  much needed cleaning. Huh, is all I have to say!

It seemed simple enough but as we moved closer to the departure day, I became more and more worried that they could have some sort of incident on their trip! I must also explain that this past Christmas, my elderly parents came out and made it to the Abbotsford airport…only after deplaning, getting lost in the Edmonton terminal, being refused re-entry to the departure area and touring around the airport for help. They were a mess when they arrived at Abbotsford. Oh my, my poor babies! What had I done?

Well, there was no turning back. The tickets were purchased with no refund. Statuses were posted to Facebook announcing the trip…too late to pull the plug now! The family has booked a fast-paced itinerary and everyone is excited.

It is funny how parents kick into action mode and intuitively work to make foolproof plans. Here is a list of things I provided for the success of this trip without me:

1.    Call the airlines and ask for a note on their flight files (when I called the airlines the clerk said I really should sign up for the One-person One Fare Program, which I did but not in time for this trip)
2.    Pack clothes and shoes (making sure, of course, that the faded shrunken shirt with multiple grease stains didn’t make it!)
3.    Pack all toiletries (this way they can’t say, “I didn’t have a toothbrush or deodorant to use for two weeks!”)
4.    Pack snacks for the trip
5.    Discuss assorted entertainment for travelling 8 hours
6.    Write and print comprehensive step by step instructions for each child to follow from departure to arrival gate (making sure it is only one page)
7.    Write a one page note to the flight staff explaining the possible challenges
8.    *Escort them to the departure gate (they departed from Abbotsford which was a quieter friendlier airport)

* As I was leaving wiping those goodbye tears from my eyes, a woman stood and spoke to me before entering the line up to board the plane. It turned out that this same woman was seated near the children in the plane and watched over them. Upon arrival at Edmonton airport, she walked them to the next gate where they were to board the final flight to Toronto. I am thankful for the small blessing that come to me when I am in need.

In my eyes I see my children differently. I do everything I can to prepare my children, who are now members of the youth population. They face the world of systematic challenges that presents itself to youth at there age. I can’t help but wonder at times, is it possible that I hinder their ability to problem solve in situations, for it is many a time I hear, “What should I do? I don’t know what to do!” I say, “Refer to the list, use your own head think it through and stop counting on my old brain…… yours is newer…!”

Children, like parents, come in many different dispositions and capabilities. So raising children is a challenge for all, for it requires you to seriously look at what you believe in. By dissecting, you have the ability to explain or teach them a model way of life.

Love, hope, respect and freedom give my family the wings to fly. They really were okay…what was I worried about?