For college students returning home for the holiday season, the travel experience can often feel like an ordeal. Parents can find it equally daunting. After years of basking in California’s mild climate, the thought of winter travel fills me with dread. So when my daughter, Emily, had to make her way back to California from the University of Wisconsin for her first Christmas break, I morphed into the quintessential overprotective mother.
My journey began like any concerned parent’s would: by obsessively checking the weather forecast in the weeks leading up to her departure. However, my normalcy quickly spiraled into paranoia as I found myself scrutinizing the predictions multiple times a day for two whole weeks.
Those hourly forecasts are a treasure for those whose lives depend on weather accuracy—pilots, sailors, or long-haul truck drivers. But for a mom like me, it was a slippery slope into anxiety.
With winter in full swing, it was no surprise that snowstorms were predicted across several Midwest states. And, naturally, my worry levels skyrocketed. Almost a week before Emily’s flight, I was glued to the weather updates for Madison, Wisconsin, where she studied, Denver, where she would switch planes, and Monterey, California, her final destination.
I had the temperature, wind speed, humidity, and precipitation probabilities memorized for all three locations. The potential issues she might encounter were all too vivid in my mind. Admittedly, I sometimes ponder whether my anxiety could actually influence the weather. Apparently, it can.
When Emily arrived at the airport in Madison, she discovered that all flights had been canceled for the day. Fortunately, my neurotic planning paid off. While she was busy with her finals, blissfully unaware of my weather-induced stress, I secured the last ticket on a flight out of Chicago, leading her on a new route involving a taxi ride to the Madison airport and a three-hour bus trip to O’Hare in Chicago.
I shared the new plan with Emily, confident in her ability to handle the situation. After all, she is a mature and responsible young woman. But then I fell back into my old patterns. The internet can be a minefield for anxious parents, bursting with information that can spiral your thoughts into a frenzy.
I noticed some flights in Chicago were delayed and saw warnings about fog rolling in, which could wreak havoc not only at the airport but also on the road where Emily’s bus was traveling. The potential for heavy holiday traffic only added to my concerns about accidents. My mind raced with scenarios—what if she missed the bus? What if she had to stay in Madison an extra day to avoid the chaos?
Thank goodness I don’t live somewhere that’s prone to snow; the mental gymnastics would be exhausting. I know the dangers of over-parenting, and I’ve tried to limit my calls and texts. Plus, Emily had mentioned her phone battery was low, which only added to my worry.
Despite my efforts to keep my anxious thoughts to myself, I caved after an hour without updates. I texted her: “Maybe you should wait in Madison until the fog clears? Skip Chicago and come home tomorrow.” No response. Did that mean she was still in Madison? On the bus? Or possibly caught in a situation I dared not imagine?
As the minutes dragged on, I struggled to maintain my composure, sending another casual text: “Just checking in to see where you are.” Soon after, I sent a third message: “I’m not panicking…yet.”
Eventually, Emily responded. Her phone had indeed been low on battery; she had fallen asleep on the bus to Chicago and missed my messages. She was already at O’Hare, just waiting to board her flight home. In other words, she had done exactly what a typical college student would do.
Relieved, I finally relaxed and acted like a normal mom, assuring her I would meet her at San Jose airport that evening.
For more insights on navigating parenthood and the challenges that come with it, check out our other blog posts, such as this one on home insemination. If you’re interested in at-home insemination options, you can also visit Make a Mom, a reputable source for at-home insemination kits. Additionally, for excellent resources on pregnancy and home insemination, explore Progyny.
In summary, while the holidays can be a source of anxiety for parents, especially when it comes to travel, it’s essential to balance worry with trust in our children’s capabilities. After all, they’re often more prepared than we give them credit for.
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