What is independence?

My son is currently doing the Duke of Edinburgh bronze award. One of the challenges is to go on an overnight expedition (or tramp if you’re in NZ).

His teacher sent out a message to parents to remind them to make sure that “your child understands the importance of independence as part of the trip”.

So taking this to heart, I left him alone to sort out his kit the night before (to be fair this was mostly still scattered across the floor from the practice run). We then did a quick check as he packed the next morning (the frozen milk (?!) could only go in at the last minute so obviously the rest of the bag couldn’t be packed too early). 

We then calmly exited the house with plenty of time to get to the train station and buy a ticket. As we strolled happily, I happened to ask what his plan for lunch was. 

That bought us to a sudden stop.

No panic, as the train station shop has sandwiches. 

Unfortunately, these were apparently too big. 

So he asked if I could run home, make sandwiches and get back to the station, while he bought the ticket. Following a quick mental calculation (5 minutes + 3 minutes (I’m not eating them) + too long, unless I jump on the bike…which still left a few minutes in case he mucks up the purchase), I handed over my bank card and set off.

Having successfully reminded him of the train station he was actually going to and made sandwiches, I then got a call to say he was on the train… with the following response…

I really enjoyed standing in the middle of the morning commuters on the train with my bike and bag of sandwiches. Having already had friends highlight similarities to Paddington bear given my usual carting around, or requests for, honey sandwiches, all I really needed was a hat…

As we made the exchange, I think I got a thank you as he focused on trying to hold on to the sandwiches and find space for him and his backpack. 

It was a very relaxing cycle home in the sunshine with my bank card safely secured, quietly pleased that I had moved my morning work call.

And absolutely confident that he would find his way home…