My wife’s birthday is in February, and I was stumped when it came to getting her a gift. Then it hit me – neither of our children have April Break – I could take her away for a trip - just the two of us! This was a stroke of genius; especially considering that it has been many years since we have gone on a trip that was just the two of us. In the last ten years or so especially, it seems that the bulk of our travel has been centered on our children – a baseball tournament here, a lacrosse showcase there, and hockey everywhere else! Not this time, instead, Sharon and I would be off for a few days to Healdsburg, California, in the heart of wine country.
This great trip never materialized, as like many of the best plans of mice and men, this went awry. No, it was not a last-minute sporting event for the kids, but it was a child based reason for the change. Based on several factors, my wife and I realized that it was really important that we accompany our son on some college visits, as his junior year of high school is drawing to a close. So, instead of a getaway for two to wine country in California, our trip became a road trip for three to Central New York and Western Massachusetts, visiting 6 schools in 3 days.
I am still trying to process all that I witnessed on the trip – the beautiful campuses, the single digit acceptance rates, the multiple digit price tags, and the entire process of schooling that stretches from BHS through higher ed. There is no doubt fodder for future blogs in the college price and higher ed in general. This week rather, my message is simple, trite even – but one that parents of middle school students must consider: the transformation from child to young adult that happens in the 8 years from 5th Grade to High School graduate is both remarkable and rapid. Not only does it seem to happen in a blink of an eye, but more than ever, I am convinced that the middle school years are critical in setting the trajectory for all that follows.
Now that the trip has come and gone, I am happy to have shared the time with my son, as it is now so obvious that road trips like this will soon be drawing to a close. Of course, new adventures will unfold, and before I know it, my wife and I will finally visit wine country – and when I am there, I will no doubt be wondering how the kids grew up so fast.