I often wonder.... About This Page:

[Teresa]

Am I an unnatural mother? (I know that none of you can answer that, but I wonder)
The newest thing that made me wonder:

Kathryn (who is all of 13 yr. old) left for France this AM. She'll be gone for almost 2 weeks. She went with 14 of her fellow students and 2 school reps.
DH cried. Lauren cried. Samantha called 7 times in the last 2 days (she's in Philly visiting her BF's family) and cried over the phone the last 2 times. My dad called upset. My mom was crying. The other parents were crying.
All I could think of was that I was bored hanging around waiting for them to head off through security. I was more upset that Lauren was sad than that Kathryn was leaving. (not like she's not coming back, right?)

[simbarel]

My mother was never very emotional about us...I've often wondered what kind of mother I would be. We'll find out soon1

[Tink and co.]

I was more emotional when Zoie returned from her trip to Australia/NewZealand than when she left. I was actually okay most of the time she was gone (21 days) because were insanely busy (10 of the days were spent in Florida for a softball tournament for Hallie). I had a really hard time for the last couple of days, she and I just burst into tears when she came through security at the airport. My DH cried when Hallie was in DC this past month for a week, every day. She called us at least twice a day, and I just never felt like crying. It surprised everyone that I did that well considering my kids go EVERYWHERE with me, including work, and have never been away from home without me for more than a sleepover before. I think I just knew I had to deal. And everyone's reaction is different.

[mrsmac2001]

I don't get emotional over the normal things. Only the abnormal

[Ms_Butterfly]

I don't think that's a bad thing. I mean, you do care about her and love her, right? THAT is all that matters. If you didn't care about and/or love her, then that would be a problem. But you do, and not crying doesn't make you a bad mother just like crying doesn't make the others good family members.

Everyone is different. Some ppl cry over everything and anything. Others never cry over anything. Most of us are somewhere between those two extremes and there's nothing wrong with that.

I'd be bored waiting around an airport when I'm not flying, too! Hey, I'm bored waiting around airports when I am flying, LOL!

[Huntermom]

I am more likely to cry over something happy than sad. This really embarrasses my DD. When my kids do well, I well up.

When my first son went off to college, my DD, then 13, made me promise not to cry in front of people and I said good-by without tears. I was surprised at the number of family members who sobbed, especially siblings. I have since learned to say good by with just a hug, no tears in front of anyone.

Having had three children go off to school, I know that they will be back at least for short periods of time. I also have learned that closeness with your children is not affected by miles. I still feel very close to my oldest son, although I only see him a few times a year. I do keep hoping he'll move closer but know even if he doesn't, phone calls and emails keep us close.

MY DD would totally approve of you-no unncessary emotion.

And it sounds like you live for you girls, especially in terms of the time you give them.

Diane

[disney_duke]

Maybe you'll be more emotional when you see her return. But while she's gone, enjoy your break. In 10 years, I'll have 2 teenage daughters and I'm not looking forward to that....

[disneydani]

I tend to be a bit stoic when "in the moment" and then usually completely fall apart after the fact!

danielle

[DrDolphin]

I tend to cry at goodbyes.....

[saremca]

I probably would not have cried either. I would have been excited and nervous for her, but those feelings don't make me cry. I think you're perfectly normal, just not particularly emotional about good-byes. Nothing wrong with that.

[HiddenMickey]

I think in this case, you were all prepared for her leaving. You'd already gone through most of the emotions that having her gone for two weeks would bring. There was no need to get all weepy at this point. Plus, I bet it was easier on her to go without having her Mom all upset. Personally, I think the fact that you let her go....shows that you are a good Mom. Think of all the life experiences she'll get on this trip....that many other kids will never get because their parents are too scared to let them go.

[kmurburg]

Well somebody had to be the one to keep it together when everyone else was being all emotional! You're a good mom who is juggling a ton of responsibilities - like taking care of the whole family, making sure DD was ready for such an extended trip, your own school work, etc. Don't be hard on yourself for not shedding any tears - I'm sure you'll miss her more than anyone else while she's away! My oldest DD went to Ireland for a college semester and though I knew she'd be away for 4 months, I was excited for the opportunities that she would have while gone. So very few tears from me although I'm usually the first to well up!

[wvugrrrl]

At least you're not like my mom - when I would come to visit for the weekend during holiday breaks from college, she'd be rude and give me the silent treatment the whole time for pretty much no reason(don't ask, she's just crazy ). Then when we'd get in the car to go back, she'd stand in the driveway and sob. Go figure.

[Cam22]

When Stefanie went on her first trip with us, I didn't cry when she left. But I was so happy to have her back home that I did cry then.

[PamelaK]

I sobbed uncontrollably when my DD flew to WI with her dad, but then smiled and laughed the entire time that I was leaving her at Girl Scout camp later that year. With her dad, I talked to on the phone every day (and cried every time), but while she is at camp I have no contact with her whatsoever until I pick her up at the end of the week.

I have often marveled at how I felt safer leaving her with people I didn't know than I did letting her go with her own father.