Week away

Last week I was on a trip with my school to Italy, visiting Rome and Sorrento. It was a real privilege getting to visit some lovely place and not having to pay for it. The girls we took all behaved very well and the trip mostly went smoothly (except for a few minor things, like a girl not wanting to get on the plane, missing Capri because a girl was poorly and a coach breaking down!). The weather was scorching; arguably too hot for walking around Roman sites all day. There were a few afternoons on the beach in Sorrento but most of the time we were up and about morning, afternoon and evening. It was exhausting too and that sense of I'm responsible for 17 children whose parents aren't here eeek! never really went away.

Before I left I felt very wobbly about leaving the girls for so long. J was off most of the week so I knew they'd be absolutely fine. But I think I often need them as much as they need me. My home and routine with them and my husband is my little safety net and being in a different country with people who aren't close friends or family was quite daunting. I was more at risk of homesickness than the teenage girls!

I am really glad I went. There were a few tearful moments in my hotel room watching watsapp videos from the girls, but mostly I was ok! It is comforting to know that the world doesn't fall apart when I'm not there and the girls are confident enough to have some time apart. And it is even nicer to have the reunion at the end with the increased sense of 'my family means the world to me'! Sometimes this can be lost a little in the sameness of everyday life. I'm very happy to have the whole of the rest of the summer all together.