Reliving the worst time as a parent

When I read the newspaper of today it is impossible not to be reminded about the worst period of my career as a parent:

Danish Dragon boat capsized by wave, Politiken, 14 Feb. 2011

My son was at one of these schools. I remember that fear that you feel when you know that your child is isolated from the warm and love in your family unit. I remember how difficult the logistic was. He smoked tobacco which is a human right and they had to stand out in the cold long before it became law for the rest of the population.

Such hardship proved to be an awful test for him. It was certainly not something I as a responsible parent ever would have allowed my child to be exposed to.

Back then I feared for his life as he was forced to eat some different food than we as family was used to. They also had some wilderness expedition where he was exposed to the harshness of the elements.

In the end he survived although marked by the difficult period away from us.

I understand that the level of danger for the students involved in the capsizing in the ocean of course was higher. I pray that all the students will survive and return safe to their families. I hope that this episode will serve as a warning for other families considering allowing their children to study away from their home at such boarding schools.

You cannot be that lucky twice.