Hi everyone, as a single mom and also a school counselor to 260 kids, I try and take one week off a year alone. Last Feb. I was in Bonaire while Grammy babysat and spoiled Maggie!

I had planned on taking Maggie in April but now feel a need to have a week alone since it's going to be mostly work and windsurfing. Gramma can take good care of Mags but I am afraid to leave Maggie behind in the event of a terrorist attack. I know my fears are based on reality but I guess I just need to vent to the group. Is anyone else leaving kids behind these days? Hmm..what to do..I guess I will wait until the week before. Time will tell.. Peace soon I hope for ALL.

Sue and I have not had a vacation without Dan since he was 2.5 years old. We missed him so much we now take him everywhere with us - being an only child it makes it easier to bring him. Especially in times like this, I would rather have him with us than not. I know you will do what is best for you and Maggie.

Tom

(Message edited by tome on March 24, 2003)

It's tough.
I was in the states for surgery when 9/11 happened. Jake and the kids were on Bonaire. I knew they were safe but I didn't know when I was going to be able to get home again. I guess the worst thing was just not being able to hug them.

How does Mags feel about it? She is old enough to understand what is going on.

Annie, my adult children are in Massachusetts and California and given the current state of the world I often wish I could give them a big hug whenever I want so I do understand your concerns. And though they rarely travel with us now I often have similar thoughts that Linda expressed. Linda's idea was a good one to ask Maggie. Also, have you considered bring Maggie's Gram along so that you would have some free time and yet all be together?

Ann:

We are taking our one and only child (Mac-6 year old boy)with us this April. We had already planned on taking him before the hostilities broke out. I am guessing that if we had not planned it already, we would be making plans to do so now. Knowing that we are all together eases the stress for us.

Being stranded together in Bonaire might be ok. If we were seperated it would not be fun. But, what the odds?

I echo Toms thoughts.

Dave

Hi Ann, as you know we are leaving for Antigua this Friday. I have one daughter, age 15, whom I am leaving behind this trip. I am very nervous about leaving her, and haven't ever felt like this before. She is in good hands, her father and my mother, but it's just the unknown. Worse case scenario is not being able to get home when we are supposed to, but that's just me being paranoid. I hate to think of not being able to hug her and tuck her in at night. We will be in contact via email, but it's not nearly enough. I hate to wish away my vacation, but I just want to return safe and sound.

Thanks all. I need time alone but it's just worriesome. Mom is 80 going on 14..LOL and Mags LOVES her so she would be in good hands. If I leave the laptop behind Maggie is happy. LOL. I called Air Ja and can change her ticket that week so will wait until the week before to see the state of affairs. If bad, she comes with me.
Linda, YIKES..that must have been scary. How many days til u got back?

Have fun Kelly..Have some roti for me..

Ditto Tom. I have been alone with Mags since she was 2. I promised myself a week alone somewhere each year. I did Hawaii once and came home after 5 days because I was too far from her. I did an April windsurf pilgrimage to Cape Hatteras for 5 years and then found BON. I will wait and see how the world is doing come early April.

Thanks ALL for your support.

Annie,
I was scheduled for surgery 2 days after 9/11 so for awhile I didn't know if it was a go or not. I was suppose to fly home after 2 weeks but my doctor delayed me another week so it was the first week of October before I got back. Flights had pretty much normalized out of Boston by then but it was very odd at the airport.

I agree, go with your gut reaction when the time comes.

Annie
If we put things in perspective, the chances of an attack in Cape Cod are very slim. So I don,t think that should be a concern. Getting home afterward might be delayed. If you feel grandma could handle the situation alone, I would say, go for it.
Mickey

Ann,
I, too, share your concern. Al and I will travel down to Bonaire for our first week. Then my 13 yr. old daughter will arrive with her older sister (31) for our second week. I AM nervous about them traveling through Miami. But I can't let the terrorists run (ruin) my life. So we'll make the most of our separation by keeping in touch at the Chat N Browse. The World is a scary place..what better time to relax in Bonaire!?!

I must be nuts....I'm staying home this summer and sending the kids for a month.