When is the right time to let go?

My youngest daughter had a school field trip last Friday. Two weeks before the actual date, she was already very excited because it would be her first time to go to Enchanted Kingdom. As in the past years, I was already prepared to come with her, especially now that the venue was in EK. I just felt it was not safe to allow her to be by herself. And besides, I knew that she would want me to accompany her.

But then, I was really surprised when she told me that she can take care of herself, so, “please if I can allow her to join the field trip by herself, without a chaperone.” I was like, “whaat??? you’re still a baby! What if something happens? Who will take your photos? Who will check if you need to change your shirt? Or put towel on your back?” I can go on and on.

When she realized that I was really serious in tagging along, she said, “But Mommy, we already have our own group for the rides.” So, it was like I would be an outsider to their group, and that it would be such a bore to have me around? (or it was just ME having these thoughts?).

So, finally, THE DAY came. It went well, but it wasn’t the same experience as I had in the past whenever I join her field trip, because this time, she was more independent. She didn’t even want to have her photos taken, although she indulges me once in a while. No more clinging to Mommy — now, I miss those days! There were teary moments along the way, and it was on my part because I think I was the one who had to make some adjustments.

Oh well, I didn’t know that it would come so fast… gotta make sure that I make the most out of our bonding moments from now on..