During the past few weeks I have been viewing myself and my Eldest Lamblet like gears... As the Wikipedia definition of the animation to the left says: "Two meshing gears transmitting rotational motion. Note that the smaller
gear is rotating faster. Although the larger gear is rotating less
quickly, its torque is proportionally greater." My lamblet definitely rotates faster than I do these days, but my larger rotations still get more work done and push her further ahead.
The Eldest Lamblet is leaving this week for an 18 day trip to the UK. Getting her ready has been interesting... While she's been excited and has had some of her own prep work to do, the majority of the work so far has fallen to Grizzled or me... the grunt work, the prep work, the foundation laying... all of the stuff she might take for granted. All of those things that kids this age still expect to just happen, or don't realize need to happen at all.
Up until this point in her life, we've often been her pack mules. We're been her PDA. We're the ones who have regularly let her know that the five minutes left until departure is indeed a finite amount of time and that there are only so many things you can do during that five minutes so best to do the majority of the things before the final 5 minutes. She doesn't believe us, but she'll soon find out, when she doesn't have me counting down the number of minutes left and reminding her where she set down the items she most needed to take with her. Yes, she'll soon be without her reminders (in her defense, she's an extremely responsible kid about many things).
I'm thrilled for her. I knew this trip was right up her alley the first time I heard about it. I knew she was mature enough to appreciate all that was being offered, but she's still a teenager, a young teenager. No matter how old the soul, the body is still being held captive by teenage cells. Getting her ready and encouraging her participation in the more mundane aspects has been like pushing a cooked noodle. I also believe it is what will allow me to put her on the plane... I will ignore the fact that I am sending my babe away from my side... not just to summer camp, but across an ocean. I will ignore this because her departure will mean our job is finished, all items on the huge to-do list have been crossed off. Grizzled and I will have set her up the best we could, the rest will be up to her and the well-oiled machine she is traveling with... another set of large gears...
Another thought that will allow me to put her on that plane is that I can't wait to see who comes home. She's wonderful as is and never ceases to amaze me, but I can't wait to meet the person who will be getting off that plane.
"I can't wait to met the person who will be getting off that plane."
Beautiful line, beautiful post!
Posted by: scribbler50 | June 28, 2010 at 08:36 PM
Getting her ready and encouraging her participation in the more mundane aspects has been like pushing a cooked noodle.
Aanother very nice line!
~
Posted by: ifthethunderdontgetya™³²®© | June 28, 2010 at 08:46 PM
If there were a heaven, everyone would have parents like you and Grizzled, and in consequence, everyone would be truly wonderful.
Posted by: Kathleen Maher | June 29, 2010 at 10:33 AM
Thanks Scribbler. :)
thundra- that line has been in my mind every day... however, noodle pushing is almost over. Then I'll move to noodle missing.
Hi Kathleen! That's very kind of you to say, but is a falsehood. Grizzled and I are passing on plenty of baggage. It's one of the rules of parenting. No child gets out baggage-free. We're just trying to keep it to an overnight case and not a steamer trunk.
Posted by: Jennifer | June 29, 2010 at 11:20 AM
Hurray for EL!! SHe's going to do great. What an amazing experience, helped along by fantastic parents!!!
Can I have her room while she's gone?
Posted by: Von | June 29, 2010 at 11:30 AM
Von- if you clean it first, you're welcome to it.
Posted by: Jennifer | June 29, 2010 at 11:31 AM
it works better if you use a spoon to twirl against.
have fun EL! I hope your momma didn't pack you any coconut m&ms.
Posted by: Kathleen in Oakland | June 29, 2010 at 03:57 PM
I'm really envious of EL. Getting a trip without parents at such a young age. If I ever have kids, I'm promising myself I'm going to get over my instinctive paranoia and let them do something like that too.
Posted by: Mandos | June 29, 2010 at 05:48 PM
Standing back is the best part of parenting.
Posted by: Substance McGravitas | June 29, 2010 at 07:31 PM
Does she need any suggestions for low-life pubs in the UK?
Posted by: herr doktor bimler | June 29, 2010 at 11:52 PM
"No child gets out baggage-free. We're just trying to keep it to an overnight case and not a steamer trunk."
Sometimes the best stuff is down in the comments.
Posted by: Dan Leo | June 30, 2010 at 07:16 AM
DOne!
Posted by: Von | June 30, 2010 at 11:32 AM
We're just trying to keep it to an overnight case and not a steamer trunk.
The human body is a beautiful thing and deserves a decent-sized suitcase.
Posted by: herr doktor bimler | June 30, 2010 at 03:32 PM
Very nice post, Jennifer, and I hope this trip is life changing for EL.
Posted by: Brando | June 30, 2010 at 10:27 PM
Happy trails, lamblet.
Posted by: Snag | July 01, 2010 at 12:35 AM
Thanks everyone! She got there safely... only 17 days to go! I'm really relieved that my part is finished and that the airport goodbyes were easier than we both expected.
hdb- no, I think I saw a thorough list of low-life pubs listed on her activities sheet.
Snag- don't you mean "Happy Entrails"? She'll be eating haggis you know...
She's not afraid of the haggis, my little carnivore, she's more worried about activities with heights.
Posted by: Jennifer | July 01, 2010 at 07:21 AM
Don't worry about the h8s, just watch your left foot...
~
Posted by: ifthethunderdontgetya™³²®© | July 01, 2010 at 05:50 PM
Super post Jennifer. This will change your Lamblet all right. We are sending? letting her go? having her dragged from us? our eldest Kiwi off to India in November with her school so this rang a lot of bells. I know she will be changed and that's cool
Try the fish and chips EL
Posted by: Another Kiwi | July 01, 2010 at 05:52 PM
I've already told you this, but what a great, great thing for EL to get to do! So happy for her. And I'm very proud of you too, Jennifer, for being so supportive of your child's travels and experiences! Might sound like a weird thing to say but lots of parents are such hoverers!
Please keep us updated on EL's adventure!
Posted by: blue girl | July 01, 2010 at 06:04 PM
Also meant to say that this was a great post!
Posted by: blue girl | July 01, 2010 at 06:04 PM
Ah, the infamous left foot. :)
AK- INDIA!?!? Wow. While I'd love to go, I must say it always seems a little daunting to me. Best of luck to the eldest Kiwi... and to her parents, as she is dragged away. :)
Thanks BG. I've only been hovering via computer. :) I did watch her flight in progress, and today, have been clicking on where she is (Ireland...) and where the future activities will be. She starts in Ireland, then Wales, then Scotland, then England. She does a 3 day home-stay in London and found out they were still in school so she'll get to go for a day. She was so excited. Not all of the kids in her group were. :)
Posted by: Jennifer | July 01, 2010 at 06:28 PM
hooray for EL and also Jennifer. the freedom to travel and explore is amazing, and i hope that she gets to see more than the same-old touristy stuff that they show everyone :)
also @Kiwi, where in India? if i can be of any assistance, let me know :)
Posted by: almostinfamous | July 05, 2010 at 08:22 AM
I have a feeling the cooked noodle will get off the airplane like a hot popping kernel of corn with a smile and a warm hug with fabulous stories to tell :-)
Posted by: Miss Jane | July 06, 2010 at 11:44 AM
Miss Jane- I think you're right. :)
Posted by: Jennifer | July 07, 2010 at 11:17 AM