Okay, I just got off the phone with Annie, Tess's mom (#6). She told me that she had gotten an e-mail from Tess the other day and that SHE IS FINE!!! She is not still sick. She and many of the other kids are HAVING A BLAST and THE TIME OF THEIR LIVES! Let's go back to the "NO NEWS IS GOOD NEWS!". There just seems to be so much negativity on here and it is bringing me and many others down.
IF the kids were in danger, we would hear about FROM A LEADER! If they were really ILL, we would hear about it from a LEADER - the parents involved I should clarify.
Yes, some of the kids might be homesick, heck, it may be their first time away from their family. But they were selected as Student Ambassador's for a reason. TO REPRESENT NOT ONLY OUR STATE OF CT, BUT THE USA! What an HONOR for them. This is an opportunity for them to learn, explore and grow as individuals and as a group. We have to let them do this for themselves.
Yes, I haven't heard from Sammie, but the posts got me upset UNTIL I spoke with Annie - Tess's mom and found out that she and "The HOLLAND Girls" are doing very well.
SO PLEASE, CAN WE KEEP THIS BLOG POSITIVE AGAIN?! We don't have to hear everything that is going on. Fun points are very welcomed, but saying that "everyone" is miserable and lonely or homesick is NOT TRUE for one thing, and it makes me uneasy as well as others I am sure.
This trip is one that hopefully our kids will remember as a POSITIVE in their life. It could even influence them for what they do in the future. Let's let them enjoy themselves. Let's NOT STRESS OUT the parents.
CAN WE DO THAT? I am sorry for those whose kids are having it a little rough. Maybe talking to their parents will reassure them, maybe it will make them more homesick. Everyone knows their own child. Do what you feel is best for your child. I am sure if Sammie was not doing well, she would let us know. That is why NO NEWS IS GOOD NEWS!
The kids have an AWESOME DAY planned for tomorrow. Hope they all have a blast! Hope they all try the challenge of repelling down the castle. What an accomplishment that would be on a personal level for each of them.
Thanks for reading my post. I appologize if some of you take what I wrote the wrong way. But Sammie went away for the first time last year to Australia and it was such a wonderful experience for her. Yes, my son got in a little trouble for breaking curfew but it wasn't anything he couldn't handle. Just be HAPPY FOR YOUR CHILD and let them have the experience of a lifetime. They will share it all with you upon their return.
So I don't think Elizabeth or any of the leaders need to be called. THANK YOU ANNIE for chatting with me and clarifying that Tess and The Holland Girls and others are doing JUST FINE and HAVING A BLAST! AND ARE NOT HOMESICK AT THIS TIME.
Thank you! Kathy B. #5
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17 comments:
I'm glad to hear tess is ok, maybe emily hasn't been in her group lately to know if she was better. I do trust the leaders and I know Elizabeth would call, like she did with Emily, if anything was wrong. I didn't mean to be negative, I was just concerned to get that call from Em, and wondered if anyone else had any bad reports. I wouldn't call them either. I appologize for bringing people down, I guess I'm just worried too.
I AGREE.....let's remember that this should be a positive experience for both our kids AND us!!!
Thank you Kathy. I totally agree. I KNOW in my heart Eric is having a blast and we only have had contact once for about 3 minutes but the blog discussions were getting me worried too. I really appreciate your input.
I'm sure for Emily and the others these few hard times will be outweighed by the awesome ones. I am really sorry again.
Thanks for posting this, Kathy. I feel the same way. I have gotten four emails, all saying that the kids are having a great time. During both phone calls Kirk sounded upbeat and excited. There's no reason to get all stressed out over any of this.
For those of you who are concerned, the kids will sometimes get emotional if calling late at night. It happened to a lot of the kids last year. They often miss their own beds and homes at night. In the morning they wake up ready to take on the world. Try to make it easier for them and for yourselves by not getting sucked into a worry-fest.
Honestly this shocks me.. If your not allowed to express your childs expression of the trip then this blog should be shut down. Everyone experiences everything differently. My child was sick, upset, hungry and having terrible pains in her stomach and was afraid to be alone. It was not a case of "homesick" she travels all the time and has never been an issue. She was afraid to be alone, which we were told they never would be alone, and not homesick. My intention is not to call the leaders, I asked Jessica if she wanted to talk to someone and she said no did not want to get in trouble, she would feel better soon. No one should have to apologize ever for stating how their opinion or how their child is enjoying their trip ro the dissapointments in the trip. There is always 2 sides to everything and find it hard to believe that 2 girls would say everyone was upset (girl wise) and sneaking out of their rooms to be with others to comfort each other. I don't think it is necessary to call and complain and cause more problems and possibly end up girls in trouble who just were afraid to be alone. I see nothing wrong with speaking with your child no matter where they are, sometimes all it takes is a comforting to calm you down, My child can phone anytime she wants I am always here for her. She was sick and upset. If you are going to screen and edit everything everyone says or states (there have been negative comments before this) that is not the purpose it is to share our childs experience wheter it is positive or negative. I would hope this does not spin out of control. It was not meant that way it was a thank you to Emily and her mother for calming Jess down when she was sick to her stomach and a way to let Sandy and Al know that there daughter wanted to speak to them but at no availability to a phone. Let's hope our kids enjoy the rest of their Journey!!!!
Sheila, I thank you for allowing Emily to use Jess's phone and like I said ,if you want to speak with her you're welcome to use mine, it's cheaper. Sitting back and relaxing, and thinking about it though, we should probably tell them they have to try to overcome this on their own. I know it can be very emotional but I really did n't mean to upset you or anyone. Like I said, emily is a teenage girl. That speaks volumes. I'm sorry if she worried you or if I did. I'm going to sleep knowing they're dry, safe and comfortable and hoping tomorrow will be sunny and full of smiles
True Sandy I agre as I stated I mentioned that to Jessica, it is a bump in the road and it will get better. But as you recall in the phone conversation we had Emily has never asked to come home and neither has Jessica. All the girls are not together all the time. I am not sure I understand what "the Holland Girls mean" , Jessica tells me they are not in groups together and not with all the same people all the time. I am sure our girls were honest when they said that everyone was freaked out in castle and sneaking out to be with each other. The boys are tougher this is an adventure girls are use to soft pillows and comfortable beds, etc.. I told her she would be fine, but I believe that hearing my voice reassured her as Emily hearing yours comforted and reassured her. You did not upset me in anyway, just suprised that people would be upset that we post how our children feel or what they said. The blog as I said should be for all whether negative or positive. Rainy or Sunny, Wet or Dry , Hungry or Satisfied, Happy or Sad, it should all be expressed. I am sure as they move on in their adventure there will be more positive comments and negative comments to come. Life has its ups and downs as we all know.
Sheila, I felt what I wrote needed to be said. And this is why... I can tell you for a fact, that Tess is NOT HOMESICK. I spoke with her mother, Annie who has received several e-mails and read to me what Tess wrote and she states in each e-mail "I AM NOT HOMESICK". "I think you would all love it here".
I am sorry you took my message the wrong way. Each of the kids will experience this trip in a different way. Some kids need to speak with their parents more frequently, others don't. What I didn't like was the generalization that "everyone" was not having a good time and/or homesick.
I think it is wonderful that Jess has Emily there to help her out. That is what making friendships is all about. I am also sorry that Jess is not feeling totally herself. I really hope she feels better soon. She should take every advantage of the activities planned an "emmerce" herself in them. I know it can be hard if your not feeling well, but it can also make you feel better if your not thinking about feeling not so good.
This is just my opinion. I am not in any way trying to put anyone down. That is not who I am. I just needed to get to the bottom of some of this, so talking with Tess's mom made me feel a heck of a lot better. I stopped worrying about not hearing from Sammie and that "everyone" was miserable. So I see your point of view and I hope you can see mine. Kathy B.
Everyone has a different point of view. The good thing is that opinions are just that. None right, none wrong. I'm going to bed now and I feel I have learned a lot from this blog. It's the first one I have ever participated in. I realized that Everyone sees it and I'm not just talking to one person. I realized generalizations have a negative effect, and I apologize once again. Not because I need to but because I want to. I am tired and cranky too. But I know Emily will have stories to tell me for years to come. She hasn't even finished the ones from Italy and Greece or
Australia. Good or Bad...These kids are soooo freakin' lucky! I hope they come to realize it!!!
Well the girls felt bad that Tess was still throwing up, 2 other girls were sick as well.. I believe Sandy mentioned Tess being sick...and said she wanted to call home and could not. I believe it was out of concern as both Jessica and Emily said she wanted to call her mother and could not, it is great if she is speaking with her mom gives comfort in knowing that... I can't believe they would make that up.. it certainly does not sound like my Jessica and from speaking to Sandy Emily is full of concern and caring and was concerned for a fellow ambassador . I don't think everyone is miserable but not everyone is blissfully happy, and think not all parents are in this blog either, I don't see at least fifteen or so of the parents on here. I think it is a nice blog and lets you see different perspectives and obviously allows parents who are missing their kids to share there childs journey.. I never heard my child that upset except over a death, and it stunned me that she was so upset and afraid to tell someone she was sick, that was my concern above all. They should not have fear instilled in them at all. I'd also like to know that she is eating, especially if she does not care for the food. Food converts to energy, which they all need. She was stronger at the end of the conversation and hearing my voice comforted her, perhaps for some kids never calling home works for others hearing a voice from home is a comfort. Like that theory if you never have it you don't really miss it if it is there you want it more. U want her to enjoy and have a great time, as I told Sandy I believe I am about to be admitted to the Hospital and that is the last thing I want Jessica knowing on her trip --- I have had phenomina for about 5 weeks now and it is getting worse instead of better and they fear that the fluid has spread to my heart so going in for cat scan tommorrow so I want my child to be ok and happy not sick to her stomach and afraid to ask for help. I am not offended, life is too short, but I do thing that negative or positive all views should be expressed. Overly negative is not good, but I think it is nice that they are there for each other. I will say as I did before I am shocked they are alone in rooms, at all meetings they expressed they were never alone so it came as a shock to me as well. I don't think EVERYONE is miserable but that all are not happy. There are some negative sides to the trip, but Jessica had very positive things to say as well. Have a nice evening and thanks for your thoughts.
I hope you get better soon Sheila
Jessica text this morning 1 a.m. our time..as they had to get up early this a.m. She said that both her and Emily got some sleep last nite slept good being together Emily went back to her room this morning no problems as of when she text me with that --- they were both feeling rested and after talking to both of us looking more forward to today and hoping for a better day.. they were told that no one will probably have cell service at the castle today as it is not normal to have it, but that she was feeling better today and was not going to listen to the driver who told them that today would be horrible experience but instead listen to us that it would be an experience and an adventure and make the best of it, even if not what they are use to. Thanks for get well wish :)
Sheila, I hope you feel better really soon. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery. My mom has had several pneumonia's in her life and it took a long time to get well again.
I am really glad that Jess and Emily are doing better today. I hope the driver was joking. Repelling down a 70 foot high castle can be kind of scary. I hope all of the kids go through with it because it would be such a wonderful feeling (I was trying to think of another word, but it didn't come to me).
I know that when we went on a family cruise in 2004, there was a rock climbing wall. Sammie attempted it but then didn't follow through. Not sure if her bruise on her leg stopped her or the height. She is new to rollercoasters too. My son Matt and I LOVE rollercoasters. We either sit in the very front or very back. Sammie is like her dad and they prefer the middle section. She hasn't been on any real big rollercoasters but I hope she does this challenge. I am pulling for all of the kids with this challenge.
Feel better Sheila. Please keep us posted on your condition. Kathy B.
Hope you're better today Sheila, please let me know if you have to go to the hospital.
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