A couple of months back my 13 year old daughter came home with a notice from school. It stated that the school would be taking the children on a trip to Kerala for ten days during the 1st term break. She was thrilled and wanted to go. I was a bit skeptical about sending her, as I was not sure if she could manage on her own. When I put across my concern to my daughter she said, “Mom if you don’t send me, how will you ever know if I can manage or not?” She had a very valid point there.
That question clinched the deal for her! She got the green signal for the trip from both of us. As the date of the trip grew closer, the excitement in her was palpable. Last minute shopping, check lists, packing…….she was on cloud nine. On the day of the departure she was up and ready in a jiffy. They had to report to school from where the school bus took them to the railway station. We bid her good bye and I held back my tears. This was the first time she was away from me. She seemed to be very happy chatting with her friends.
She had a great holiday with her friends, managing so well. She was amazingly responsible, taking care of herself quite well, in spite of the hectic sightseeing schedules and erratic meal times. She was back with tons of pictures and bagful of beautiful memories, more confident and responsible!
Looking back, I feel sending children to such trips from school helps them in many ways.
It fosters responsibility in them
Taking care of themselves, packing and unpacking at different places, understanding money matters, waking up on time on their own, staying together with the group. All these go a long way in helping them evolve into responsible individuals.
Teaches them to make adjustments
She had to share the room with a couple of her friends. By doing so, she understood that people have diverse habits. Though some of them were not to her liking, she learned to adjust to them. Being a little choosy about the food she eats, the trip taught her eat what was available to all.
Develops Gratitude
They traveled by sleeper class and had to carry their own luggage. It taught them humility and developed a sense of gratitude for so many things they are blessed in life, which otherwise they take for granted.
Values for life
At one place where these girls went shopping, it was the shopkeeper’s birthday. The lady was distributing a few chocolates to the children there. So these bunch of girls got together and sang the happy birthday song for her. She was overwhelmed with emotion. It was probably the first time somebody sang a birthday song for her! Such incidents help them evolve into more warm and caring individuals. Sharing and caring for each other was something they learnt through the trip. Experiencing certain things has a profound impact on the personality, than it merely coming down as an advice.
Equipping them with life skills
With kids taking up admissions in colleges in different cities, staying away from home and managing on their own, is the first step in learning to be independent.The trip gave them the confidence for that.
Bonus lesson for parents
It teaches us, the parents, to develop an attitude of detached attachment. It prepares us to accept that the children are developing their wings, ready to soar and fly into the big beautiful sky with their own identity!
Image courtesy: Pictures clicked by my daughter on her trip
Good morning dear Radhika Di. …loved all the points which you presented which might convince and increase the confidence of parents …this will definitely change the look out of the parents when they face a situation of sending out thier wards outside home town …you are a wonderful parent Radhika Di
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Thanks so much Kiran. I believe it is very important for parents to instill values and confidence in their children. A lot of learning happens outside of school too. Though initially I was a bit apprehensive, but in the hindsight I feel it was a good decision.
Have a great Sunday!!
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😊😊
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Same to you Radhika Di 😊
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Yeah…so truely expressed and written…..
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Thank you Rohit!
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Everything you said and every point ☝️ you made.. is so very true…
And your daughter has the right answer to you..
We have to learn to trust their judgments.. and let them learn how to be self sufficient…,
Hoping that what we try to teach them will be applied.. and will be appreciated..
Letting go is so hard for us parents.. we always want to shelter them and protect them..
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Very well summarized Nita. Over protection on the part of parents will do more harm to the development of children. Like you said we must learn to trust their judgement. Making mistakes helps them understand situations better and emerge stronger .
Thank-you so much for sharing your views😊
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You are welcome my dearest friend..
it’s just experiences speaks..
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👍👍
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You are wonderful mother .. While I see many parents are scared sending their kids to school you are think what’s the thing kids could learn from it. Thumbs up for it..
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*school trips
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School just takes care of the academics. But there is so much to learn beyond that isn’t it?
Thank-you Supreet for the kind words😊
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Very well expressed,letting our children spread their wings always help them improve their self confidence.
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Absolutely! Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts!
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Well written… Commonly, birds protect their hatchlings by their outstretched wings, as the same way Parents protects us… They educates us everything but by means of the surrounding only we can experience it…Nice post… thoroughly, loved it…
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Always a pleasure when readers like what I write. Many thanks Zeenath for sharing your views!!
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Hi Radhika!
I like your mentioning detached attatchment. Though it is not easy but at some points we have to develop this to help the growth of our children. Even I remember such trip at age of eight. And when I came back home I grew more close to my mom.
I appreciate your decision to allow her to go. Hugs to you and love to your sweet daughter! 💖
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Wow, your mother sent you on a trip at the age of 8!!! I am not sure if I would have sent my daughter at that age. Hats off to your mother!!
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Haha! I can understand even I couldn’t do that being an overprotective mom. But when I was eight we(me n my sister) used to be students of Saraswati Shishu Mandir. The school used to organize a camp near Nizzamudin for 3 days that too in month of nov. And yes I attended the camp cosecutively for 3 years. Many more schools used to come there. And all three days there used to be cultural programs. It was such a fun I can’t describe here. A lifetime experience at suchva young age. And I’m thankful for that to my parents! 🙂
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Rightly said Meenakshi…..an experience of a lifetime!Regards and respect to your parents 🙂
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yes.. there are many values in such trips..let them manage themselves..the parents need to overcome their mindblock..
so is she back from my kerala..?
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Oh yes, Akhila, she loved the trip to Kerala and is back home now😊
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Lovely post…especially the very insightful and helpful tidbits you gave. I was never ever allowed to go to trips like these, but I can imagine how thrilled and responsible your darling girl came home from it. 😊
The part about singing a birthday song for the shopkeeper was so sweet. God bless her.
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Yeah, singing the birthday song was such a sweet gesture by the girls.
She thoroughly enjoyed the trip came back with beautiful memories, more bonding with friends. The only thing she was desperate to have on coming back was ghar ka khana 😉😉
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“When I put across my concern to my daughter she said, “Mom if you don’t send me, how will you ever know if I can manage or not?” She had a very valid point there.
That question clinched the deal for her! She got the green signal for the trip from both of us.”
The power of logic from a thirteen year old.!!!!!
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Yes, kids are very clear in their thought process as compared to us at that age.
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I am sure your daughter is reading this and feeling elated and exuding confidence, the responsibility and independence that is given do translate into more maturity and the will to know what is right and wrong.
I have loved all my school picnics, still vivid in my memory and ensure that my children did enjoy theirs too!
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Oh yeah Sunita, she sure was elated to read the post. It’s heartening to know that both you and your kids have beautiful memories of school trips, and I can see a boost in her confidence level after the trip.!
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You explain buetifully how a parenthood should be.first of all I liked the question she asked to you which makes you to think and act accordingly for her happiness.At the same time,it will also make us understand how important our loved ones.I am sure it helps her to adapt to the circumstances and make her own decision whenever necessary.I loved the pics and your points are worth read☺
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Yes the trip has certainly made her recognize different circumstances and adapt better to them. I am glad that you liked the pics and the post. Thank you so much Ashik for stopping by and sharing your thoughts!
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Btw which part of kerala did she went ??
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Cochin, Munnar, tekkady and Thiruvananthpuram.
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When I was of your daughter’s age, I had an offer to visit Rajasthan. Till now I regret for not being allowed at home.
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Awww…..that is so sad. But I guess parents till a few years back were a bit more conservative and skeptical about sending their children for school trips. 🤔
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Yeah.. True.. They were..
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Hi Radhika
I understand your apprehension but you’re both wonderful parents:))) You let her soar & make friendships for life. And of course experience a wonderful trip:) Loved reading this post😊
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Yes Divya the trip has given her beautiful memories and some unforgettable experiences which i am sure she will carry for a long long time. Thanks dear for being so generous with your words. Your feedback always brings a smile to my face. Have a lovely week ahead💛💚😇
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Good for you Mom! It’s hard in this scary world to let kids be free, even for a bit. My kids are grown and I’m still always worried! 🙂
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Haha, I agree. Worrying about the well being of kids comes naturally to parents, specially moms. But unless we hold back our apprehensions and give them the space and opportunities, they will not be able to blossom fully, isn’t it?
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Tis true!! Good luck…it will never be easy not to worry. It’s really our job as parents. 🙂
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so true, what you wrote! an informative post… loved the ‘detached attachment’…
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Thank you Hari!
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One word…WOW… Words of Wisdom, that is ….. Children are excited to expand and explore the world… More than the children… it’s the parents who need to expand and accommodate :)… Well done Radhika 🙂
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Thank you so much Karthik.!
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Yet to reach that phase of parenting, Radhika. Can understand your woes of sending your little ‘baby’ to fend for herself even if it is with her own class. Thank you for those tips. We have as much to learn on the road to playing parents as much as they do to live in this world. Happy parenting!
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Parenting is a continuous learning process, each phase and situation teaching us something new. Willing to adapt our parenting style to the changing situations, learning to draw that line between discipline and freedom, giving them their space, learning to be friends with them……all an ongoing process 🙂
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Beautiful post! Loved reading thi’s post kids should explore the world. In my opinion after their studies they should even travel a lot for work before they start family life. It taughts a lot in their life. In between I am happy to know she been to my home town.
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I agree Sumith. Traveling opens up new doors to them and is a great teacher.
Btw, Kerala is a beautiful place.,….no wonder it is called Gods own country!!😊
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Thank’s a lot Radhika😊:)
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I found you through Sasha’s blog. I can totally relate to this experience. I have 12-year-old twin girls (soon to be 13). Last year they went to science camp, this year they wento on another class trip, and next year they will be going on a two’week trip to Washington DC. The benefits you noted are all so true!
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Thank you so much Robin. It’s great to know that you send your kids on such school trips. I am sure with each trip they learn something new!👍
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We all learn something new!
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Absolutely!!
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Exactly! School trips do teach alot to us.
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I am glad you agree Prachi😊
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Reblogged this on Journal Edge and commented:
Article Source: radhikasreflection.wordpress.com
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