My daughter is leaving Sunday morning for a week in Arizona! I was watching the news the other morning and when they showed the national weather map it dawned on me just how far away that is! She's never been that far away from me before. We have both been very excited about her trip but as the time for her to leave has grown closer, I've become more and more nervous about her going. I'm trying not to let on to her how I feel. Hub decided that while she was away would be a good time for us to take a vacation as wello maybe that will take my mind off worrying a little. Any of you experienced this and have any suggestions for getting through it?

CarolinaCarol, I don't have any children, but I do believe that your feelings of separation anxiety are natural for a mother who loves her children. It sounds to me like you must have a warm and loving relationship with you daughter and that is extremely special and important. I think that it must be difficult for a parent to let go when a child starts to grow up. Remember how you felt on the first day when your child went to day care or school? I bet you felt a separation anxiety then. I would imagine that a life long of protecting your child makes it difficult to let go, but be happy that she is going to have her first experience in life being that far from home and know that your raised her to be the very best that she can be.

Fear of letting go is a very powerful feeling. And fear is a normal reaction to the unknown. It is this uncertainty and feelings of not having control over the situation or not being there to protect her that probably makes you feel uneasy. Remember that your positive influence in her life is your control factor. I mean that in the best way possible. Your words of wisdom and love will guide her to make the best decisions.

Be proud of yourself for letting her go on this trip. You are giving her freedom which proves that you trust her. That means a lot when you are growing up, or at anytime in a relationship. She will only love you more for giving her this gift of love and trust.

I know I am rambling, but I hope when you start to feel the anxiety upon you, that you will stop for a moment and be proud of you and her and please give her a cell phone before she leaves so that you can stay in touch.

I hope you and your husband decide to take some time out for yourselves. I think a that sounds like a marvelous idea. Have lots of fun and bring that cell phone with you so that you can call and kiss your daughter before she goes to bed each night.

CarolinaCarol, I definitely know what you are going through. My kids are all grown (35,30 &25), but I still worry about them when they are far away. My oldest just came back from Puerto Vallarta (she also went to Punta Cana in March) and all I could think of was of all things, sharks. She is such a dare devil, I was afraid she would not be careful enough.She stayed in Texas when she was 12,with my folks, but I worried everyday. To tell you the truth, sometimes I wish they would ALL go far away (just for a little while), but I guess I would still worry. The sad part is I asked Leah (the oldest) if she loved her mom enough to take me with her on her next excursion, she replied 'Not Really', I'm hoping she was kidding.(She has the same warped sense of humor I have). A vacation of your own, with Hub, sounds wonderful, and it will ease your mind somewhat. No matter how old they are, separation anxiety exists, (bummer) but I guess that's part of being a parent. Good Luck. gammab

Think about all that you've been through with your daughter. As her parent you have been her advocate, teacher, protector, confidante and comforter. JoJo is right, we lose a certain amount of control and it makes us question ourselves as parents, did I teach her everything she'll need to know? will she make the right decisions while she's gone? etc. Don't hide your feelings from her. She'll want to know how you feel. You love her and care about her, and she loves you. Give her the opportunity to share how she feels too, talk to her. Nothing can take the place of expressing our feelings to one another no matter what the relationship.

My 22 year old daughter is in the travel industry and she has the opportunity to go on many trips. It seems to get a bit easier each time I watch her pack up to leave on yet another trip, but there are feelings that only a mother can experience.

I worry about her 1 hour drive to the airport in heavy traffic just as much as I worry about her being in foreign countries. I'm not there to say the things I would say to her if she was just going out for an evening but I have to believe that all that I have taught her will stay with her (even if I am not there nagging).

Think of this as an introduction to the empty nest. Be glad that this is a gradual process and not just there one moment living at home and next moment, in her own home.

I think the suggestion of going on a trip with your hubby is a dandy one. Relax and enjoy yourselves

Thanks y'all...I know I really don't have anything (much!) to worry about, but it's still hard.

BTW JoJo - Those kids you met in the airport...that sounds like basically the same thing my daughter is doing. There are 15 high schooolers from our church going to Arizona to spend a week on an Apache Indian Reservation. They are going to split their time between conducting a Vacation Bible School for the kids and helping to "spruce up" some of the homes there.

Oh CarolinaCarol, I just got goose bumps. What a special little lady you have there. You must be so proud of her and the work that she will be doing on the Apache Indian Reservation. Her work will help to enrich the lives of many, and hopefully will inspire others to give their time and energy to such worthy causes. Looks like you did a fabulous job of raising your children. Kudo's to you, your daughter and to the others in the church group. Thanks for sharing CarolinaCarol. Stories like this are an inspiration and a joy to read. I wish your daughter the best of luck and please give her a hug for me.

Thanks JoJo, we are very proud of our little princess (LOL we tell her the only reason we call her that is because it makes us the King and Queen! - Besides she can act like a bit of a "princess" at times )

I would love to give her a big hug for you but she left me this morning at 4:45 am...