Haser Happenings: Logan's Japan Grad Trip.

Logan's High School Grad Trip AKA Adult parenting challenge!

I don't talk much about 'parenting' on my blog, but seeing as though my kids are getting older I figured I would share a few of our philosophies on parenting.

Logan was invited by a group of friends from school to spend a week in Japan in celebration of graduating from high school. Normally when I picture a group of 18 year old boys going off to a foreign land ALONE, I imagine crazy parties... Honestly, it is true. I have a really good imagination too.... Especially, when you consider the legal age to drink is 18 in Asia, and other things are legal here too.

Todd and I do not believe in parenting by making choices for our children. Our parenting style is more of mutual respect. Yes, we are the parents, so it is our job to establish house rules, but we are reasonable and enjoy the kids input. We actually welcome them to question us, really. Life is about learning to make the right choices for you and for the right reason, not because someone tells you it is the right reason. They love and respect us and even listen to us, because we respect them as well and they know that. I don't believe we have ever said, "you must do xyz, because I said so"... However, trust me I have wanted to when it comes to their bedrooms... I believe as parents we need to teach our children to make healthy, wise choices for themselves, but ultimately THEY have to be accountable to themselves, not to us. I know, I know lots of opinions on that. To each their own... Todd and I are both very strong minded, and our children are even more strong minded, so for us establishing mutual respect is the only thing that makes sense.

So, now that we have that established. Logan gives me cause to be a little more protective. He was born with a liver condition. It is truly a miracle he is strong and healthy. His last specialist that was new to him wanted to do all these tests, because she said after looking at his extensive medical record that he defies logic. He shouldn't be this healthy. I don't really want to get into that too much. I just want to establish the fact that for Logan choosing to party or drink would be akin to being suicidal. Sounds dramatic, but it is very true... But, ultimately, he needs to be accountable to himself, and I need to trust him and love him....

Thankfully, God blessed Logan with a great mind and a great respect for his health. We have always tried to impress upon him the importance of a healthy mind and body, but I am sure many parents do. I am so grateful that he has embraced this knowledge. He detests anything that is harmful to mind or body, and I trust him implicitly to make good, wise choices... So, when he asked us about going to Japan with a group of 5 guys for a week, there wasn't any hesitation at all. Even though I don't know the guys. They are local kids from Hong Kong. I did of course ask about them, and the plans to make sure he was safe. This is Logan though, I needn't worry too much. He hangs with a good crowd. He attracts good people, and leaves if he feels bad choices are being made. Not because I have instructed him to, but because he doesn't like to be around it.... He has even apologized to me for leaving a get together with friends early, because people were smoking and he didn't want to be around it. I thought it was funny. He apologized for not wanting to be around unsavory health choices... I told him I was proud of him for his integrity and respected him for it.

The guys that invited him were all top students in his most challenging AP classes. The one in charge of the trip never even missed one day of high school, ever?! Unheard of I tell you! I didn't know this ahead of time, I swear! But, Logan's character and hard work ethic was why they invited him. Truly an awesome group of guys.

I have to say that I LOVE smart men. One of the guys on the trip arranged an unlimited data hotspot, so they could all use the data on their phones as they went around, since their sim cards don't work out of the country. So cool! Logan had such an amazing time. I am so grateful that his first trip independently as an adult was with such a great group of young men. I am also grateful for a son that has such a strong unwavering strength when it comes good choices. He is a great example.

Anyhow, just sharing a few parenting thoughts as the choices become more 'their' choices rather than 'ours'....

A couple pics from Logan's trip

He had to be at the airport by 5:50am, yuck! I woke up with him and walked him to the cab. We live really close to the airport and he knows his way around there pretty well.