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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be a bit nervous that my PFB is going on a 5 day school trip tomorrow?

37 replies

Titsywoo · 19/06/2016 21:26

Ok so she is 11 and more than old enough but she will be so far away with 90 other kids and only 9 teachers. And they are doing watersports in the sea one day!

Anyone else get anxious when their DC go away?

OP posts:
TheSolitaryBoojum · 19/06/2016 21:30

Almost everyone is anxious when their children go on the y6 activity week.
Meet up with friends over a bottle of wine and all be honest about how you feel, they are as concerned as you. The children will have a fantastic time, the Isle of Wight is overwhelmed throughout June and July by hundreds of schools and children all having a lovely time.

Imnotacelebgetmeouttahere · 19/06/2016 21:32

Mine goes tomorrow also - nerves have set in for me

Original poster
Titsywoo · 19/06/2016 21:33

Thanks solitary :) Yes I remember going there myself in the last year of primary. Although I nearly fell off a cliff after mucking around and ignoring the teachers so that makes me a little more nervous. I guess they are more health and safety conscious 26 years later! They are doing so many fun things so hopefully she will have a lovely time. I can't wait until Friday though Grin

OP posts:
BigginsforPope · 19/06/2016 21:33

My DD is going abroad with school for a week. She is year 8 and I am terrified. I know in my rational brain she will have a great time but I can't help panicking. I'm not sure there is any way around it.

mumsnit · 19/06/2016 21:33

My DS is going abroad with school soon and I can't even think about it I'm so nervous about it! Im sure it's natural to be anxious.

Hope she has a lovely time. Nice suggestion about meeting up with the other parents while she's away Smile

Original poster
Titsywoo · 19/06/2016 21:35

Ah, Imnotaceleb. We can console each other through a difficult week then :)

OP posts:
TheSolitaryBoojum · 19/06/2016 21:36

Yup, I was a teacher 26 years ago and still am. Risk assessments and safety equipment have both changed beyond recognition over the years.

sunnydayinmay · 19/06/2016 21:36

I think lots of parents feel like this. I spent the week trying to keep busy, and not look into his room at bedtime (particularly as he'd taken his duvet and it looked so empty).

He had a whale of a time, and he's off on his year 7 trip next month, and his first school trip abroad next term.

Original poster
Titsywoo · 19/06/2016 21:37

Yes Biggins and mumsnit I suppose this is good practice for the secondary trips! I'm pretty sure they go to France in year 7 at DDs new school.

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ineedaholidaynow · 19/06/2016 21:49

I was speaking to a HT the other day, and her DC had been away on their first residential. It was interesting for her to experience it from a parent's point of view rather than a teacher. She hated it and was really nervous.

BeJayKayven · 19/06/2016 21:53

It's only natural to feel like that. I was stupidly worried, he had a ball! I think I'll always be like that even as he grows up.

Whathaveilost · 19/06/2016 21:56

No, the first time my boys were away from me on a trip was to a PGL place when they were 7. I let them do a weekend first and they absolutely loved it so I felt better letting them go for a week. I wasn't nervous but I did miss them being around. I looked forward to hearing their tales when they got back.

Original poster
Titsywoo · 19/06/2016 22:00

DD has been away before - she also did PGL when she was 8 and she stayed with my parents for the weekend a lot when younger. It's been a long time since she has been away though and they are out and about doing so many different things that it feels different to PGL.

I hope she isn't too nervous in the morning. She has form for getting very tearful when saying goodbye and she is worried about sleeping with the light out as she is scared of the dark.

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Girliefriendlikesflowers · 19/06/2016 22:00

My dd is going off tomos on a 3 day residential, she is in year 5 and its the longest and furthest away she has gone without a close relative. I am really trying to stay rational about risks etc although did find myself saying to her over dinner to make sure she has seat belt on on the coach Grin

I am nervous for her but also really hope she has an amazing time.

TheoriginalLEM · 19/06/2016 22:01

This was melast week! really worried all week as dd quite a home body but she loved it :)

justwondering72 · 19/06/2016 22:03

Here in France, they start having 5-day school trips from 5 yrs old. My PFB DS went on his first four night 'classe verte' at that age. So no, from that perspective I would not worry about an 11yr old going away!

Bunnyjo · 19/06/2016 22:25

My DD did her first 5 day residential last year, she was only 7! At her school, all KS2 children can go on the residential trip and it is always a 5 day trip. She absolutely loved it and it was a great experience for her. Me? Not so much...

She's just come back from this year's residential and, again, she had a wonderful time.

Remember, big cheery smiles when you're waving the bus off, and carry some tissues just in case you get a bit misty eyed once they're out of sight Flowers

Lillygolightly · 19/06/2016 22:40

Mine is off tomorrow too. She is 11 and I know she have a fab time but I know she will feel homesick the first night or two. I'm am absolutely dreading her going and I am so worried but I know I have to let her go...all part of growing up. I hate it Sad

Tartsamazeballs · 19/06/2016 22:57

I work in the watersports industry and if it helps I can assure you that whilst there are risks there are also a lot of rules and regulations, and it is very safe. Our centre (paddle and wind based) is really strict on instructor ratios, everyone has first aid and drowning training, everyone wears buoyancy aids... It's pretty rare for any accidents to happen beyond a grazed knee or bumped head.

Imnotacelebgetmeouttahere · 20/06/2016 07:19

Well he's left Sad

DH is dropping him at school to wave him off because I - will sob like a baby - have the others to look after.

I'm mainly anxious because he's been subject to some bullying from a particular child over the years and a few serious incidents ...and that child is going. They've assured me they will be watched like Hawks so taking a deep breath....

Original poster
Titsywoo · 20/06/2016 07:38

I've just dropped dd off. Waiting to wave them off in a bit. I felt a bit tearful when I got back in the car but she seemed ok when we said goodbye Grin. Shame about the crappy weather. Hope it improves soon! Here's to 4 days of anxiety Wine. Cheers!

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Imnotacelebgetmeouttahere · 20/06/2016 08:50

Wine is it too early? My ds has autism and change unsettles him... Arrived to find the school had apparently told the kids fri that they can only take a small duffel bag - 23ish kids arrive with a variety of bags..so they had to empty them Into binbags Hmm

Thankfully ds bag had removable braces so managed to squish it down to teensy size and crisis averted. Don't think they considered how distressing a change can be :(

Imnotacelebgetmeouttahere · 20/06/2016 08:51

Where is she off too? Mines off to Isle of Wight!

Original poster
Titsywoo · 20/06/2016 14:58

Yes mine is off to the Isle of Wight too :) She should be at Robin hill right now. That's really rubbish re the bag situation. They really should have emailed parents about something like that. I managed to get dds stuff into a small suitcase but some of the kids had huge ones! I feel a bit better now they are gone and the waiting is over. I hope they're all having a lovely time :)

OP posts:
Original poster
Titsywoo · 20/06/2016 18:15

Just got the first update from the school and it sounds like they are having fun :) Nice to know what is happening even though phone contact etc is forbidden. Hope everyone else's young ones are getting on ok :)

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