I Am Afraid For My Daughter...

**many houseapes** · 05-20-2010, 10:27 PM

Maybe I'm over reacting. After all, she is 21. She will be going to Canada all by herself next week on an adventure that she has been planning for an entire year. She will be going to Toronto to attend the Anime North Convention that will be held there. Then she plans to stay an extra week to hang out w/ friends that she's known on the internet for the last 2 years. My daughter has meticulously planned this trip...the details...everything.
But I am a little scared. I trust my daughter and her judgement...its just that I don't trust other people. This is the first time that she has really met her online friends....and what about the airlines??? There have been more reports of terroristic activities...I could go on.
But I really want her to go have fun and enjoy herself...I can't wait for the pictures of the convention & scenary and the stories that she will tell me. I just want her to be safe.
I was on my own since I was 16 & it was rough...but its a whole 'nother world now...& yeah, I am worried.
Please tell me that I'm being silly & worrying too much.

**IntlMom** · 05-20-2010, 10:33 PM

she'll have a great time!...... she's 21, I think it's more than appropriate that she have this great adventure....

but a mom's a mom, I get it!

((hugs))

**mauimagic** · 05-20-2010, 10:35 PM

MH - you are not being silly and you are probably worrying too much - but you are her mother and that's what mothers do and did and will continue to do forever more. You have obviously done a wonderful job of raising your daughter and you trust her. She knows that she can always call you if she has any concerns.

Having left our DD in the middle of the United Stated and knowing no one near her, I do appreciate the angst that you are going through. It isn't easy; it's painful in fact. And you will get through this. The next time she goes away it will be easier - I don't think we ever get over our desire to hug our children and keep them close to us and keep them safe.

Not only is it hard for children to grow up, it's hard on the parents too.

Please take care as you go through this process. Hug her dearly and wish her a great trip. Once she returns home you will relax...and you will also give a big sigh of relief.

we are here for you, just as you are there for her!!

**mek42** · 05-20-2010, 11:10 PM

There's plenty of folks here from GTA (greater Toronto area). Would it help to PM one or two of them that you respect and ask if they'd be willing to share contact info and act as a local "stuff happens" resource for your daughter?

**Debbie-cat** · 05-20-2010, 11:11 PM

She will have a great time! Toronto is a wonderful city. Very clean and safe. My girlfriend and I walked Yonge street ( the main street) one evening while we were there for a convention until 2 am! Never were we bothered and even rode the subway back to the hotel. Great place and she will come home with great memories. You worry because you are a Mom and that is our job but you raised her well and she will be fine. ((hugs))

**Rebookie** · 05-20-2010, 11:12 PM

It is a scary time to let our babies out of the nest. To allow her to go in the world and trust HER to keep the weirdos and freaks away from her. =D It's going to be scary, but worth it to see the excitement on her face!

**frugalfoster** · 05-20-2010, 11:26 PM

I totally understande where you are coming from since I have 2 dds ages 24 and 26. I worry everytime they do something out of the ordinary. But, they have to grow up and we have to let them. Watching them mature into the human beings they become is the most rewarding part of being a parent. I wouldn't trade it for the world!!!

**Libby** · 05-20-2010, 11:32 PM

When is the convention - I know my friend will want to go to this as well

**many houseapes** · 05-21-2010, 12:39 AM

Originally Posted by Libby

When is the convention - I know my friend will want to go to this as well

she leaves on the 27th...its the 28, 29th & 30th

**many houseapes** · 05-21-2010, 12:41 AM

Originally Posted by many houseapes

I have a friend that I have known for about a year....about 2 weeks ago, someone was giving away a bunch of clothing on Freecycle. My friend was chosen as one of the takers. She spent over an hour in the burning sun going through bags of clothing for my,hers & other families. I felt really horrible that I couldn't go out to help her (so many things going on with the family).
Fast forward...she chose a pair of capris for herself & ran them through the laundry. She finally wore them and put her hand in the pocket and found.....$15. Oh my gosh, I was sooo excited for her...told her to go buy a hamburger or something for the kids.
Today...she came over & we swapped coupons. When I was going through the inserts, I saw $15 paperclipped to the insert. Believing that she accidentally left the money attached to the inserts on a shopping trip, I immediately called her & told her that she needed to come back & pick up her money.
She intentionally hid it in w/ the coupons b/c she knew that I wouldn't accept it if she were to have offered it to me...what a stinker!lol She said that when she pulled that money from her pocket, she first thought of me and it was like God had told her that she should give it to me.......I was so incredibly humbled....I felt like crying.....what a wonderful heart of gold.

lol...sorry, I thought that I had started a separate thread....contacted Sara to ask her if she could move it. Sorry if it might have caused some confusion

**The Muse** · 05-21-2010, 02:19 AM

She will be fine. It's Canada, not a war zone.

People close to me freaked out when I told them I was moving to Europe, but I've never felt safer or happier.

In general, the world isn't as scary as we sometimes think.

**joyofsix** · 05-21-2010, 05:53 AM

Of course you're worried, she's your baby. How could you not worry. On the other hand you've raised her to be sensible and level headed. As hard as it is you've just got to trust in that. And pray.

**frugalwarrior2** · 05-21-2010, 06:05 AM

It's impossible not to worry being the mom. I went w/ 2 GF when I was in college. Rode the train from Detroit all the way up. I had a great time. I remember the cabby tried to cheat us by saying Canadian rates and Amer. rates didn't matter. My friends were innocent and were going for it. The rate was 40% diff. so i stiffed him the tip. I remember young street. Always open.
The Spaghetti Factory-super delicious. Lots of fun stuff.
Just lecture the heck out of her regarding "hooking up". It goes on a lot at these conventions. We have friends that attend.