Empty Nest Syndrome Already

Right now Lance is on a class trip to Chicago. He has been away from home before, but always to a "self-contained" location. It was hard to let him go to the "big city" even though the chaperons are wonderful and totally trustworthy. He of course had no problem leaving us, and quite frankly we want it that way. We want our children to be able to go out into the big world with self confidence and know that we will always be here for them when they return. I think it makes it worse that I start thinking ahead of when they will leave for college some day. The next 4 years are going to fly by, and I have the feeling my kids will want to stretch and go to far away schools. I guess it is good because it makes me appreciate today, but it is still hard to have one out of my reach. The biggest lesson I have learned from Lance's absence this week is that I need to teach that boy how to use the phone. When I talk to him at night to get a report of the day, all I get is me asking questions and him grunting back. If these children want to move far from Mom they need to be able to supply me with information and love through the phone. I guess if that is the only thing that I'm worried about right now they are going to be okay.