I looked at my blog yesterday and noticed one thing, lots of photos of Joe, but not many of Jack. I was a little mortified, as I like thing to be even if you get what I mean? The fact is Jack is growing up, he is more than happy to pose in family shots but I have noticed he has got a little self-conscious lately, not shy, Jack could never be shy. But he is not as willing to pose alone for a shot. It’s almost like he wants the comfort of a group shot, the photos I have I have sneakily shot, he has not posed for them.
Last week something happened that traumatised me, Chris said I was overreacting, but Jack went to a Burnley away match on his own, with his friends. My first instinct was to say no, no way. They planned to go not a family coach and one of the boy’s grandparents would be on it with his friends. But in essence they were going alone.
I felt a little frantic about the whole thing, I know he is 15 but they were going miles away, what is something went wrong? What if he had a hypo? Anyway after lots of discussion, and lots of persuasion from Chris and Jack I agreed to cut the apron strings for the day and not stand in the way of his first adventure with his friends.
I have to tell you, I felt right back there at Jacks first day at school, like I couldn’t quite concentrate on anything. And I don’t think I actually relaxed until he was safely back home. It’s the funniest feeling, we have tried to bring the boys up to be independent, confident and thoughtful, yet when they feel ready to take that first step, I just didn’t feel ready.
When he arrived home after a wonderful day I knew we had made the right decision, but wow from a parent perspective this growing up business is pretty hard. On another note, I need to take more photos of Jack on his own, I will be adding this to my new year resolutions.
Oh I hear you! I’m the same every time Maddie does something new. The first time she went shopping with a friend I sat in a coffee shop and clock-watched until they came back. Now I let her go and don’t think too hard about it. It’s the overnight stuff that worries me most though. Tough gig parenting, and medical conditions make it even more difficult to let them go!
I know Helen, he was 3 hours away I was having kittens but I will feel a little better next time, it certainly doesn’t get any easier does it? x
I can so relate to all of this Sarah. It’s hard isn’t it? I feel as though I’ve had a whole year of ‘cutting the apron strings’ in 2015. More to come I imagine! I hope he had a good time. x
He had a fab time Suzanne but yes it was so hard to accept he was going so far away for the day x
It’s such a tricky age, isn’t it? You want to be there for them, of course, but also allow them that space and independence.
I’ll never forget the day that my mum let me go into town on my own with my friends. I was probably a similar age to Jack.
You definitely did the right thing, no matter how scary it felt for you. xx
I know Jenna, its so hard, do you know I remember my first outing alone too. It was such a big moment for me x
Great New Years resolution. I need to take more of mine on their own too. Always Lily on her own but usually twins together. Lovely shots. #mycapturedmoment
Its like you get in a family photograph pattern, I am going to address this, this year x
Oh Sarah I can imagine that was a bit of a wrench, it’s bad enough when they don’t have health conditions – glad he had a great time though. I think it is one of the hardest things to do, judging how much freedom they need (that’s the control freak in me , only let them go as much as they need ha). Anyway, although I have a picture of both girls on the blog today, it is usually really difficult for me to get them to agree, there are loads more of Evie because she says yes more ha! A lovely set of pictures of Jack xxx
Thanks Lisa, and yes that is the key knowing how much is acceptable, and as for the photos you are so right Joe always has his face in my camera where I have to prompt Jack xx
Ah Sarah, I can’t even imagine how I’ll feel when we get to this point. I can’t even leave Lili by herself at a birthday party but I’m sure it is now expected of us to ‘drop and leave’. I hope Jack had a great time and that you’ll be more prepared for the next time? These shots are great! Thank you so much for linking up to #mycapturedmoment
I was like that with Jack, I would never leave him at a party now he is trotting of to Sheffield arghhh, and thank you xxx
Sounds as if he had a great day with his friends, and I think us mums never stop worrying do we, whilst the dads are always the laid back ones. I know Morgan only allows carefully vetted pictures to appear on social media and on my blog now. But at 13 I respect his decision to not always wanting to appear in blog posts, hence why there is alot more of Katie. Eek the minefield of parenting xx
I am lucky that Jack loves being on my blog, but at the same time always seems to be about for group shots. Although I am on a mission now, and yes he had a fab day thank you xx