I dont want him to go.

yeah it's a tough time, feeling for you ;-)

Thanks, I know I have to let all my kids live their own lives and make their own choices, it's just hard sometimes

(((HUGS)))

thanks sweetmags - much appeciated :-)

((hugs))

thanks D.

These are wonderful photographs. They really convey the maternal dilemma, loving and letting go.

oh bless you.... that's tough. great pics

Thanks Factotum and SaharaSB *sighs* but accepts the inevitable. Having lost one son and then found him again last year.

that sounds an interesting story...?!?!

Oh dear - that really is so tough
I feel for you - HUGs from me too!

thanks Viv :-)

mrs540 -- I can't really fathom why that top shot didn't get the clicky. amazing stuff, touching, too.

thanks Lizziepants

Unfortunately kids have to be allowed to make their own mistakes as they grow. I can definitely understand your reluctance to acquiesce to this decision though...it's very hard to let the child you've spent your life protecting move towards possible danger.

Oh dear, not good news .... I must say I feel for you ... I know we have to let our children live their own lives and make their own choices ... and sometimes as parents we are too emotionally involved to talk to them objectively .... school must have careers advice ... or if that is not an option then someone he can talk to that will give him an acceptable alternative (because there must be one) .... HUGS ... and yes that top shot is brilliant ... I did the same with a piece of my son's coursework ....

thanks Geo :-) for your kind thoughts, you are right of course. I would never stop him and will be there for him every step of the way despite my own political , ethical, moral, etc etc etc, misgivings, because he is my son. I will deal with whatever I have to when I have too. I'm just feeling it a little bit particularly when you see news reports and programmes and I just wonder how other people manage and how awful it must be for them. sorry I'm rambling now.

Thanks Maggie - my son left sixth form over a year ago. He had a place at university to study philosophy, but then decided it wasnt what he wanted. to do. I know that in the end things will turn out the way they are meant to be. I'm just sounding off a bit I guess.

Thankyou All for your kind thoughts :-)

bless you all. you are right in being anxious, but you are being the best sort of parent possible, voicing concerns is fine putting forward other possibilities, and then standing by and supporting come what may.

nooooo its simple kidnap him and keep him hostage!!

I know how I would feel
horified!

the photograph says so much. he'll meet the canadian boys over there too. they are all so young.

hard, being a mom, sometimes. and hard being a kid. love him to bits. big hug.

thanks SR the thing is things can change and sometimes our worst fears our never actually realised and I knew from thje moment I had all of them they would bring me joy and haertache, but thats the deal :-)

I spent a few years in the forces, was a great time, best choice I ever made. Second best was getting out again when I did.
The chances of seeing any real "action" are minimal, even for the ones serving in those strange places.
As you say yourself; I think you'll just have to let him get on with it and support him all he needs.
I'll talk to you both about it some more in London next week.
Don't worry, he'll be fine.
;-)

Och... I know what you are going through. My son is scheduled to go to Afghanistan in February. I do not want him to go!!!!! It is so hard just to think about it. I am hoping that maybe there is a way he can still say no, and not go. But i fear it is not going to happen.
Blessings