The dreaded school trip abroad...

School trip to Barcelona

Ah so the time has arrived. My son no longer needs me! (I’m dying inside...) lol On a serious note though, my son has additional needs. He has Tourette’s syndrome, OCD, Autism and ADHD, so he can find social situations quite challenging.

He is almost 13 years old and is starting to spread his wings and I have to learn to let him fly on his own.

The school organised a trip to Barcelona for a few days and he really wanted to go at first, so I paid the deposit. A few weeks later, he realised that his best friend wasn’t going and that made him panic because he didn’t hang around with the other kids that were going and he finds making new friends really hard.

He asked me to cancel the trip.

At this point, I had already paid for half of the cost, which was about £250 and un-refundable. That might not sound like a lot of money to some people, but it is to us. I said to him that He really did ought to go, as it is an opportunity of a lifetime. He agreed to go.

I really considered that it would be best if he went and tried to make new friends. I thought perhaps pushing him out of his comfort zone would help him in real life situations and prepare him for the future. Also, being away from me and his dad would mean he would have to act more independently, even though there will be adults around.

Early hours this morning, the time had arrived for them to leave school and board the coach to Luton Airport. He will be gone for 4 days and I miss him already! When we took him to the collection point, all of the other kids were hanging around laughing and joking in groups, but he stuck to my side looking scared to death. He got on to the coach and sat on his own, while all the other kids were pairing up and joking about. My son looked terrified and lonely. My heart sank. What have I done! I should have just cancelled the trip!

A few hours later, my mobile rang, it was him! The dread I felt was unlike anything I have ever felt in my life! What was wrong! Should I fetch him from the airport? Did he want to come home?

I answered the phone apprehensively... “hi hunny, what’s up?”
“Nothing mum, I’m just ringing you to tell you me and Ben are just having donuts for breakfast in the airport!”

And breathe! Phew! I could hear a few boys in the background laughing and shouting or Owen to get off the phone and go with them. I was so happy!

“OK, great! Well have a fantastic time, let me know when you land safely. I love you!”
“Love you too mum”

And he was gone like that. I could hear the smile in his voice. I am so relieved that he has managed to push himself out of his comfort zone and I know that he will have a fantastic time now. I can’t wait to hear about it all and he is taking lots of pictures to show me when he gets back too.

This parenting lark is harder than I thought it would be! Lol

Thank you to unsplash.com for the images and thank you for reading, @beautifulbullies xx

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