How did yours behave the first time they went on a school trip overseas?

[resipsa]

Just dropped DD13 off at the airport for her first overseas school trip. She basically ignored us and barely managed a word of goodbye let alone a photo/hug like most of the others. I feel sad for her that she's gone off for a week with no affectionate farewell. I assume it was a front to cover up her real feelings but it felt so awkward, I'm not really sure what was going on. Has your teen 'rejected' your comfort in similar circumstances? Not sure why I'm asking really but guess I am hoping that she might look pleased to see us when we pick her up next week!

Sounds about right tbh. Neither of my two would have done hugs etc at that age in public.

It does make you a bit sad though doesn't it?

I got a fist bump from DS before he wandered off to his mates and I stood talking to parents. Teens don't really do public displays of parental affection. Doesn't mean they don't care, it's just embarrassing. I can't imagine she would need your comfort at that point in her life. She will have been beyond excited, not thinking about missing home.

She was really nervous about the trip. It was booked over a year ago and none of her close friends is on it (only 50 kids from a school of 1,200). She was in tears about it last week which is why I thought she might want a hug or at least an arm squeeze but I was wrong!

DD was 10 when she first went abroad with school. At that age she was quite clingy and definitely nervous to go so from what I remember she did give us a both a hug (accompanied by some tears) before she got on the bus.

Her next 3 at 12/13/14 despite being a bit nervous she just happily skipped off with her friends. Giving mum a big emotional goodbye would not only be embarrassing but in my opinion making a fuss would just make things worse and likely upset her. I don’t see why you’re getting so worked up over this, it’s just her way of dealing with things and that’s fine. It’s only a week, you know she loves you anyway and you’ll see her soon. The nightly phone calls and WhatsApp updates always meant a lot to me, give her a call later and see how she is when she gets there

Well mine went on a music tour, got a bit hyped on the first night, so the DOM put him in with the older lads as they would be a calming influence.

He came home knowing how to play a demon hand of poker. 😂

I think this is normal. You’re dd had probably already put her game face on, so to speak. If she was nervous and didn’t have any close friends going, she has probably closed her emotions off so that she didn’t cry in front of anyone or show any vulnerability. I don’t think it’s reflective of you in any way.

Thanks everyone for your replies. It's not something I got 'so worked up' about as suggested upthread. It was more curiosity as the other kids on the whole behaved differently and more as I expected. I imagine she's now loving it. I have joined the private Snapchat story to keep track 🤣

DS1 was 11 (Y7) when he went on a school trip to Spain. I have absolutely no idea whether he said goodbye, gave me a hug or whatever. He's now 27 and we obviously both survived the emotional experience!

OP, that sounds fairly normal. My ds will spontaneously hug me at home, but wouldn't be seen dead hugging me in front of his school friends. It's not cool.

DS1 went in Y4. Yes, the (intermational, not in UK) school took a bunch of 9 and 10 year olds on a plane. He spent his weeks picked money on sweets to share at the airport, and then had a blast.

It's just embarrassing in front of her peers - some can do it, some can't. I knew that ds13 wouldn't be able to, so I gave him a hug and a kiss before we got to school so he could then just slope off with his mates onto the coach.
I'm sure she'll be fine. Does she have her phone? If so, just send her a lovely text to say you're thinking of her and hope she has an amazing time.

All sounds really normal to me. DD went to Spain last year with school age 13. When I dropped her off she gave me a brief hug but wasn’t interested in me. It was a mixture of excitement, nerves and looking for her friends. I chatted with some of her friend’s mums during the week who also had similar from their DD’s.

I also didn’t get much out of her when I picked her up either as she was shattered and hungry but she had an absolute blast.

i do get where you are coming from OP.

I thought you were asking what we got up to on our trips abroad as teens ... That's far worse 😂