Marking the Milestones

Milestones occur frequently when you have 8 children.
Starting school, graduating from school, first job.
Learning to drive, first cars, even a first car wreck.

Sometimes the milestones come with great joy like first child, first home, and first grandchild.
Sometimes the milestones come with great worry, like first court appearance, first missed curfew, first move away from home.

I often wonder what is the best way to mark such milestones?

But one milestone that I know I mark quite well is that of 'the 16th birthday'.
15 years ago I had an idea. It was a simple idea that came to me while showering one morning. I do my best thinking when alone and back in 1996 the only time I was alone was when in the shower. I had 7 children under the age of 16 at the time and There was seldom ever alone time.
That is why I believe this 1 simple idea was brilliant! And a bit of a miracle.
My idea, take each child on a trip somewhere for a week with just 1 parent. One on one, undivided, individual, quantity AND quality time together.
The purpose was 2 fold; teach the 16 year old how to travel safely, and wisely, navigating and exploring in a big city, and to enhance the parent/child relationship.
And so the idea was first implemented with my oldest daughter, Melissa, In January of 1997. Since this was a brand new idea, making all the arrangements, packing her bags, creating a story, and surprising Melissa was easy. With the kids that followed, the surprise wasn't part of the 16th birthday trip, but I don't think that has lessened the experience.
In fact, taking out the 'surprise' piece has perhaps made it better.
(The oldest always has to be the Guinea Pig. Sorry Melissa)

There are a few rules that go along with the 16th birthday trip idea...
1.) I/we the parents decide WHERE to go.
2.) The 16 year old determines what sights will be seen and what they want to experience.
3.) Transportation within the destination will be Mass transit (or walking)
No rental car will be used unless deemed necessary by the parent.

Here's the breakdown of the Brown 16th Birthday Trips so far:
Melissa and mom: San Francisco
Brad and dad: Washington DC
Aimee and dad: San Francisco
Lindsey and mom: San Francisco
Alex and mom: Chicago
Caroline and dad: San Francisco
And now!
Jacquie and mom: San Francisco
In 2013...
Laura and ?: San Francisco

I imagine you picked up on the trend that all the girls went to San Francisco.
And yes, so will the youngest Laura.
I didn't set out to make San Francisco the destination for all the girls, it just turned out to be the best choice with the first 4 girls in terms of value, climate, and community experience.
Because the first 4 went to San Francisco I wanted to continue with this destination as a common thread that can bind the girls together in the years ahead as they reminisce and remember this milestone in their lives.

There are lots of stories to tell about each one of the kids 16th birthday trip,
But for now, this will have to do.
Watch for more stories and updates as Jacquie and I explore and experience San Francisco through her eyes.



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