Back in July, we had to do a really difficult thing – take our oldest child to university back in Canada. They applied to university and was granted a scholarship. They seemed to be quite pleased about the schoolwork ahead as well as living in residence while we, the parents, were on the other side of the planet.
When I tell people that my child is away studying in another country, I often get sympathy and pity, “Oh it must be so hard for you. How are you managing? You won’t see them until Christmas holidays? You must be so sad!”
Just between you and me, I’m not really sad. Don’t get me wrong; I love my kid – who is having a WONDERFUL time at university. The grades are excellent and has lots of friends from diverse backgrounds. How can I be sad when I’m watching the kid grow into becoming a successful adult?
Maybe I would be more stressed if this were 20 years ago before the internet. Fortunately the marvels of modern technology (video conferencing, international text messaging, email and social media) allow us to keep in touch on an almost daily basis.
I can only smile when I get text messages like this:
Canadian Army Wife 
Sandra…Technology makes me so happy….that’s the reason I don’t miss my ” kids”….I can see them on facetime, have great conversations, and I know they’re doing well in UK!