Link went camping
There comes a time in a boy’s life when his mother has to let go. This happens even if neither of them particularly want it. Link would happily stay curled up at home with all his comforting things and people nearby. Instead I sent him out camping in the snow with a group of boys who are mostly older and larger than he is. There were three leaders there, but no guarantees that they’ll extend any special attention or understanding to Link. I was so busy getting him prepared so he would not freeze or go hungry, that I had no spare thought to realize that this was his first night away from home without family nearby. It hit me at bedtime when his bed was empty. Then I felt like crying and I wanted to rush out and make sure that he was not scared or lonely.
But the thing is, I’d sent him with people I trust. I knew that he would come back home safely. I knew that he would not be abused or humiliated. I was giving him the chance to learn first hand that being a little scared and lonely are survivable miseries. I gave him the chance to discover that he is strong enough to manage these things by himself, that he does not need mom nearby to make it all better.
He came home. I was glad to see him. He was glad to see me. Then he ran off to play. From his descriptions, it sounds like he had fun. He also had nervous or scared moments. He was teased by older boys (friendly teasing) in a way that he didn’t much like, but he handled it. We talked it through and he feels good about the experience. Link is getting so big. He is putting on the mass that will fuel the growth spurt in the next couple of years. His days as a little boy are soon to be over. I’ve loved him and helped him and sheltered him. Now I need to love him enough to stand back and let him grow on his own.