For college students returning home for the holidays, the journey can often be a source of stress. The same holds true for parents. After years of enjoying the warm California climate, the thought of winter travel fills me with dread. So, when my son, Ethan, needed to fly from the University of Wisconsin back to California for his first Christmas break, I transformed into an overanxious mother.
Like any caring parent, I began by checking the weather forecast for his trip. However, my approach was a bit extreme: I started monitoring it two weeks in advance, multiple times a day. Those detailed hourly forecasts are incredibly useful for those who truly need precise information—like pilots or long-haul truck drivers. For someone like me, though, it becomes a different story.
With mid-December upon us, it was no surprise that snow was predicted for several states in the Midwest. Naturally, this sent me spiraling into worry. Almost a week before his flight, I was glued to the weather updates for Madison, Wisconsin, where Ethan was, as well as Denver, where he would have a layover, and Monterey, California, his final destination.
I was aware of every detail—temperatures, wind speeds, humidity levels, and precipitation probabilities at all three locations. My obsessive behavior was likely more hazardous than any weather conditions he might face. Sometimes, I pondered whether my anxiety could somehow alter meteorological patterns. Apparently, it could.
Ethan arrived at the Madison airport only to discover that all flights were canceled. Of course, I was ready for this unexpected turn of events. The upside of my neurotic tendencies was that I had already devised a backup plan. I managed to snag the last seat on a flight out of Chicago to the West Coast. This new itinerary required a short taxi ride from his dorm to Madison’s airport, followed by a three-hour bus journey to O’Hare in Chicago.
I called Ethan with the new arrangements. Being a responsible and mature young man, I felt a wave of relief wash over me as I planned to pick him up in San Jose later that evening. But then my neurotic side kicked in again. The internet, full of information, became a double-edged sword for someone like me.
I saw that flights in Chicago were experiencing delays. Then came warnings about fog rolling into O’Hare. Fog not only poses problems at the airport but also increases the chances of accidents on the highways—where Ethan’s bus was headed. The potential for heavy holiday traffic compounded my anxiety, making me dread the thought of accidents on the road.
What if Ethan hadn’t even boarded the bus and was still in Madison, avoiding a treacherous journey to Chicago? Thank goodness I don’t live in a snowy climate; the mental gymnastics would be exhausting.
I know the risks of over-parenting and have worked to limit my calls and texts. Ethan had mentioned his phone battery was running low, so I tried to keep my worries to myself. But old habits die hard, and soon enough, I caved.
I texted him, suggesting he wait in Madison until the fog lifted. No response. My mind raced—was he still in Madison? On the bus? Or caught up in some unfortunate incident on the highway? Another hour passed, and still no word. I attempted to sound calm: “Just checking in to see how you’re doing.”
After another half-hour, I sent a third text: “I’m not panicking… yet.” Meanwhile, I continued checking the weather in Chicago and the status of his flight, even considering looking up the Wisconsin Highway Patrol’s updates.
Finally, I received a response from Ethan. He had fallen asleep on the bus and missed my messages. He was already at O’Hare, waiting to board his flight home. In the end, he acted like any average college student, and I finally managed to act like a relaxed mother, assuring him that I would see him that night at San Jose airport.
In conclusion, the journey home for college students can be fraught with anxiety, especially for parents who can’t help but worry. Yet, despite our neurotic tendencies, we ultimately strive to support our children in their adventures. For more insights on parenting and related topics, including articles on home insemination kits, check out this link for a deeper understanding of fertility issues, or explore resources like IVFBabble for comprehensive information on pregnancy and home insemination.