Hi all,
my daughter has a field trip this Friday. For some reason, I don't feel real comfortable about it all. I don't have a 'reason' except that something about it makes me uneasy. That Mommy gut feeling kind of thing.
Its a field trip to a nature thing... they do a hike and other nature things. Fine. The bus ride there is 1 hour one way. Fine.
My Daughter is excited about it, I have some uneasy feeling about it. I don't know why?
And well, not that its major, but the field trip is on Friday the 13th.
I turned in the permission form, allowing her to go. But thinking that if at the last minute the weather is bad or anything, I can always keep her home.
I already talked to her Teacher about it... she said its rare that a child is not permitted to go on field trips, but it does happen sometimes. I know what the field trip is about and she described it to me, and I don't have a problem with the activities involved. BUT... I just feel uneasy about it all for some reason. And the bus ride is so long... 1 hour each way. And in the news you sometimes hear of school kids in bus accidents.
My daughter has gone on many school field trips before... so I don't know why this particular field trip is bothering me for some reason. My daughter's field trips in the past never bothered me in any way.
So Moms... would you listen your Mommy "radar" gut instinct or not? I don't have any tangible reason "why" I am uneasy with this one. And I am usually NOT a hovering paranoid over cautious helicopter parent. (*Adding This: and no, I am not the "superstitious" type of person).
I talked with my Hubby about it, and he says its up to me. He trusts my instincts. Grandma says I should trust my instincts too. But if I keep my daughter home that day, she will be the only 2nd grader not going.
I talked to my daughter about it, not bringing up any 'scary' reasoning... but just explaining that if the weather is bad or rainy, we "may" keep her home. She said okay.
But that she is excited about the field trip.
And no, I cannot chaperone or go along with them, because I have a 3 year old and
I'm a SAHM.
Thanks all.
Thank you all who responded, both pro and con. I respect your perspectives on it.
Just this morning (today being Wed. & I posted my request yesterday Tues.) I heard on my local weather report for my State of Hawaii, that there is a winter storm/thunderstorms approaching sometime tonight through tomorrow... and there will be increased rains and flash flood watches for certain counties, through the weekend. THUS, they are advising "campers" and "hikers" to avoid flood prone areas etc.
As such, I will not be allowing my daughter to go on the field trip... as the site of the field trip is in a flood prone area... and it will not be proper hiking conditions nor safe. And even if the storm stops by Friday (the day of my daughter's field trip), the grounds will still be too wet/saturated and unstable.
And if nothing goes wrong? Then she will have missed out on a wonderful experience with her class.... by the way... the beauty of being a SAHM IS that you CAN do those things. Find a sitter for the 3 year old and go if you are that concerned about it. More than likely you are worried because this is the first major field trip (meaning with travel distance) that she has gone on. There will be many more... will you keep her from those too?
Always always always go with your natural gut instinct (from your post I believe you already do)! You are the ONLY one (other than your hubby) in tune with your children. =-)
Go with your gut. God gave you instincts for a reason. Your daughter is not going to be deprived of anything by not going this one time.
It's easy for these ladies here to act as if they think you are being unreasonable, but I guarantee.....they would listen to their mommy instinct and not let anyone tell them any different.
Remember, it's a second grade field trip involving a nature hike, not something that will shape her educational or social future!
What if you found someone you trust (close friend or family member) to watch your son? Then would you be able to go along as a chaperone?
If you really can't do that and you do decide to keep her home (and yes, I am a strong believer in trusting your gut instinct!), then maybe you could do a "nature thing" with her (and your son) near home -since that's what the group is doing.
For example, you could write up a little scavenger hunt for her, you know; "find two leaves, a rock you find interesting, 2 flowers of different colors, etc" and then collect those things in a paper bag. Then, bring those items home and talk about them (describe them using your senses, etc) - maybe even do a little research on those items online or something like that. Or make her do a little project about them. She could draw a picture of each item, and then under each write a few words describing it...
I bet she'd love that at her age - AND she'd get the one-on-one attention (well, one-on-two in your case ;)) that she will not get at the field trip. That way she won't feel like she "missed out", she just got to do "something different" with mommy and brother. Something special just for her :)
Whatever you decide to do, good luck!!
Hi SH:
You know what? If I experienced such A Gut feeling,I'd much rather be safe than have any regrets later.Chances are,that your daughter would go,have a good time,and return home safe and sound,however,if these strong feelings your having,had any validity,you'd probably never forgive yourself,for going forward,instead of following your instincts. Because,you don't normally feel this way when your daughter goes off on field trips,I'd keep her home this once,and maybe do A special project with her.Bake some cookies together,let her decorate them. She's so young,and will have so many more field trips to look forward to.She doesn't sound like she will be devastated,if she doesn't go,and you will feel at ease and assured that shes safe there with you.This day will pass,but there will no doubt be a few more down the road,when she reaches her teens.It's not unusual for us to experience these strong feelings SH.Not to frighten you but There's something to be said for the passenger, who at the last minute decided not to board A flight,that later crashed. Spend A fun day with your daughter. You'll have fond memories of that day. When she's A young woman,you can tell her,of this day.she will probably giggle but its certain she will discover another reason to admire her Mother. As always,I wish you and your family the best. J. M
Hi S H, I think what you are feeling is normal, I went on all field trips with my kids, they never had a problem with me taking a younger sibling with me, I to was a SAHM which gave me the flexability to go on all the field trips. If you keep your daughter home and everything with the field trip goes well, how are you going to feel about your daughter missing it. The field trip you are talking about I've been on 3 times, (I have 3 kids ) it's great, she will love it. When my first born was in kindergarden I had a 2 1/2 son as well, he went to Sea World, he went to the Nature place, he went to the aquairum, with me as I chaperoned, and then when he was in kindergaten I had a 3 year old daughter, who went on all his field trips with as I chaperoned. I think you should let her go, think about all the experiences she could possibly miss as she grows up because you have uneasy feelings, I got married on June 13th, which was a Sunday, we have been happily married for 28 years, and we have had quite a few Annivarsary's fall on Friday the 13th all successful. J. L.
Can you go along as a chaperone? In second grade she may still like that. Does the school take second graders to this location every year? But why does an hour on the bus bother you? Lots of kids ride that long just to get to school. Is the date of the trip getting to you? Don't make her miss it because of nothing, or worse, sillyness, in your head.
let her go see what happends how much fun she has makes sure she will not sit by boys on the bus thats what gets me all the time
can you go? maybe you would feel better if you were able to attend....if not, keep her home and just do something fun with her so she doesn't feel left out.
do you always have these "feelings" on superstitious days? i normally would say go with your gut, but on the otherhand you dont really have any reason to not let her go other than uneasy feeling......it will be hard to explain to her that she cant go because you have uneasy feelings, she will probably want some type of explanatin since she may be the only one in her class not going.....best wishes with your decision.
