<p>I am the mother of a college sophomore and a college freshman, and their only living parent. Their dad died over ten years ago.</p>
<p>I have a great opportunity to travel to Europe in late April (vacation) for a total of 12 days. This would not overlap with my son or daughter’s spring breaks, and I would return before the end of their spring semesters (one is about 2 hours away from me, the other about 4 hours away). They each have aunts/uncles within two hours’ drive of them.</p>
<p>There is just a part of me that is nervous about going on this trip, and another part that thinks it would be ridiculous not to go. A dear friend the other day made a comment along the lines of “you’ll be so far away from your children”. Aaugh!</p>
<p>I guess I’m looking for reassurance! Any thoughts? Both of my young adult children like where they are, overall, and there have been no emergencies this year. There was a kind of “SOS” incident where it was good that I could offer S immediate support last spring, though. He does play a spring sport, and I am close enough to go to some of his games, but I don’t feel that not being able to attend every single one would be a good reason not to go on the trip.</p>
<p>Of course, one never knows when there could be an emergency of some kind. But with reasoning like that, I would never travel anywhere! They are used to my not being too far away (unless they travel – they each had the opportunity to go on a special trip abroad while high school seniors).</p>
<p>This is your chance to go do something for yourself; go and enjoy yourself!! The chances of a real emergency are slim and you have family close enough to help if needed. You were not around the corner when they went abroad; what would you have done then in an emergency?</p>
<p>You will just be a phone call away and will be able to talk to them if needed. Go and have a blast; you deserve a vacation!</p>
<p>This is a great opportunity for you. Your children will be fine, and if something happens, the aunts and uncles can cover for you. I went to Europe for the first time last summer and I can’t believe I waited that long. Go and have a great time.</p>
<p>Your children aren’t children any more. You have relatives willing to step in should the need arise. You can communicate with your kids everyday, if you want – there are internet cafes everywhere. These kinds of opportunities don’t come around often: carpe diem!</p>
<p>please go…they will be fine…if your family uses Blackberrys as forms of cell phones, BBM messages are free and unlimited…</p>
<p>what a great opportunity for you!! My father passed away when my mother was young but she was very anxious about travelling…and it got worse as she got older…</p>
<p>rodney-Are BBM messages really free both directions internationally? If so, I just learned something new! We are with AT&T and my daughter will start traveling internationally this summer, so this will be very good news to her father; my daughter on the other hand might not be as excited ;)</p>
<p>I vote go…shoot, I know tons of people who did this when their kids were young and left the kids with nannies or grandparents. Though, I wouldn’t have been comfortable doing that when my son was a minor, now that son is an adult and in college, I wouldn’t hesitate (though he would have strict orders to stay at college - he’s only an hour and a half away - no parties at our house).</p>
<p>Go. If you’re really worried, get a cell phone with a plan that works in Europe (there are several on the net - I don’t remember which one we used for my daughter). Or use a computer with Skype, and you can talk to them when necessary.</p>
<p>Why put your life on hold any more than you already have for them? They’re not putting theirs on hold for you! (And besides, let’s say you don’t go, and nothing happens - they don’t need you during those 12 days. How will you feel then?)</p>
<p>I’m sure that you have other people (relatives, good friends) on whom your kids could rely if necessary. </p>
<p>snowball: we have Verizon; daughter is abroad; all BBM’s are included as long as you call them in advance for global plan…just a change to data; no extra charges</p>
<p>You are know there are international students who are 20+ hours from home, and they all seem to do fine. On campus, there are RAs, doctors, advisers, to step in if your kids should need it. They provide a great support group for students.</p>
<p>My husband and I have been on business trips at the same time since our kids were little. Last time was last year when there was a huge snow storm, and our 16 year old daughter was home by herself. We were so worried, we asked our parents to drop by. They said by the time they got there, D2 had already shoveled 18 inches high snow and we had the cleanest driveway.</p>
<p>Your kids are adults now. They should be able to take care of small problems. If there is a big problem you could be back very quickly. </p>
<p>Have a wonderful trip. I’m sure your kiddos will be fine. Just make sure folks have your itinerary. It’s so easy to keep connected…you can call, Skype, send emails (there are internet cafes everywhere but in the U.S.). This sounds terrific for you. I vote with the others…go and have a great time!!</p>
<p>You should definitely go. I went to college about 3 hours away from my parents and honestly, I don’t think I even gave it a second thought when they were traveling (including out of the country). You shouldn’t live your whole life staying home by the phone “in case of emergency.”</p>
<p>I just logged back in, and I feel very encouraged by all of the supportive advice! Thank you to everyone who weighed in! It really does help.</p>
<p>And, by the way, I do plan to go to the Keukenhoff (sp.?) Gardens in the Netherlands!</p>
<p>I will review all of the suggestions about communicating – I certainly will have a phone on which my kids will be able to reach me. They and other relatives will have my itinerary of course as well.</p>
<p>It’s a good point that students their age are studying overseas, and my own are just one step away from possibly doing that themselves.</p>
<p>Thanks, and I am planning to go ahead and book the trip this week.</p>
Go, go, go! Then come back and tell us all about it.</p>