What you need to remember when you're not under mummy's wing

Preparing our children to cope away from the home can be quite a daunting thought. Or is it just me?

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As the eldest child in our household grows up I have had to get used to spending a few days here and there away from him. It can be a HUGE shock to the system I must say. It’s like chopping off your right arm.

This blog from Unchartered Parent helped me realise it is important to send our kids off into the big wide world to spread their wings. We just need to make sure they are prepared and remember a few basic rules.

A few of the reminders from the Unchartered Parent’s post included:

*Have fun
*Be kind
*Eat something besides pizza and pasta. Watch the additives!
*Try new things
*Take a shower at least every other day
*If a little homesickness does sneak up on you, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that
*Wear sunscreen
*Have a great time

I love her reminders. I also want to add a couple more…

*Help tidy up
*Wear a hat
*Always wear your lifejacket or other safety equipment
*Make your bed
*Wear warm clothes (take your jacket!)
*Brush your teeth!
*Enjoy the lollies and extra treats – you know you will
*Make the most of your time little bro/sis free
*Talk. Listen. Watch and learn
*Make every second count – enjoy the freedom
*Don’t forget I LOVE YOU

Maybe the most important one should be “scrap the lot and just go have a blast”? Maybe.

What else would you add to the list?

Share your thoughts below.

Image provided. This post originally appeared on Blue Zone.

16 Comments

- - mom83712 said
  - 19 Jan 2016
    8:56 am
When the kids leave home its such an exciting time for them and such a mixed feeling for mum and dad as were happy for them becoming there own person and exploring what life has to offer but the worrying if there OK and what there doing does become overwhelming the long sleepless nights waiting for a return call or txt so u no there safe and the feeling of relief when that call or txt comes but if we teach our kids to be responsible and kind and to have common sense and the difference between right and wrong then they will go out into the world and make the most of it.

- - june11 said
  - 18 Jan 2016
    10:10 pm
Tell them to do as they are asked without arguing or sulking.
Some think they are too grown up to be asked or told to do something….or not to do it.
If you are at somebody else’s place you abide by their laws. ( Kids need to learn that at pre-school age and be reminded. If you haven’t already taught them that now is the time. Our 3 y.o. will tell his Grandma he knows he isn’t allowed to do some things. It amuses her sometimes.)

- - pakeko said
  - 31 Dec 2015
    7:56 pm
If you cant stay out of trouble just stay safe

- - Nas01 said
  - 07 Dec 2015
    12:44 pm
Make sure you call Dad and I!
Thankfully it’s going to be a while before my little ones will be old enough to stay away from home.

- - paulah2 said
  - 04 Dec 2015
    7:28 am
Never go to bed on a bad note with your partner or kids and don’t ruin other people’s happiness because you can’t find your own

- - mom94378 said
  - 30 Nov 2015
    8:12 am
Yes, we don’t change the locks on the doors here either

- - mom74640 said
  - 27 Nov 2015
    11:13 am
Lke nc

- - mum4107 said
  - 27 Nov 2015
    6:08 am
I’m always here and you can always tell me anything

- - mom160421 said
  - 26 Nov 2015
    9:30 pm
When my daughter went away on school camps, I’d tell her to never go anywhere alone – always have friends around.

- - cherz said
  - 26 Nov 2015
    7:24 pm
One important addition : WE WILL ALWAYS BE HERE FOR YOU.

- - mom90758 said
  - 26 Nov 2015
    3:11 pm
What an interesting article. I miss my daughter a lot when she has a sleepover at some friend’s house. 🙂

- - mom165081 said
  - 26 Nov 2015
    2:39 pm
This is such a perpetual problem. My sisters boys are just finishing uni and still pretty much rely on her for the basics. How about adding – if the kitchens too hard to master – use a BBQ; hang wet cloths neatly to avoid the iron.
- Tracy Hardy replied
  
  26 Nov 2015 , 3:43 pm
  YES! My 11 yr old loves having BBQ responsibility now.
- - mom81879 said
  - 26 Nov 2015
    2:22 pm
My kids are in their 20s and moved out of home a couple of years ago. I still remind them of little things. I visited my mum not long ago. She’s in her 80 s and I’m nearly 50, she still asked me if I needed to go to the toilet before we got in the car :/ lol
- Tracy Hardy replied
  
  26 Nov 2015 , 3:44 pm
  Awwww you never stop being a mum xx
  - mom94125 replied
    
    03 Dec 2015 , 7:18 pm
    
    oh that is freaking gorgeous! what a lovely mumma you have!
    
    i know that anytime that i have been pregnant, my mum treated me like a queen and was there for me every step. I am glad that she stood by me and helped teach me how to be a mum. My hubby will be there as well but there is just a beautiful bond between a mother and her pregnant daughter. Like My mum carried me and is helping me carry my child. Beautiful 🙂