Exploring Teens Issue 8 / Feb-Mar 2016 | Page 14

LIFE WITH TEENS HOW WILL THEY COPE ON THEIR OWN? Every parent worries about their children leaving home. How will they cope? What if we can’t be there in an emergency? By Felicity and Gillian Handley A s an exchange student living in Paris, my daughter Felicity was caught up in the recent terrorist attacks. A world away in Sydney, I felt utterly helpless as I realised there was nothing I could do to protect her. Our sms conversations from that night give some insight into the experience. 9 AM AEDT (11 PM PARIS) 14 NOV 10.00 AEDT (MIDNIGHT – PARIS) Mother Daughter We were at a restaurant close by, but we left and just got back to a friend’s apartment. SAT 14 NOV 2015 8.22 AM AEDT (FRI 10.30 PM PARIS) Mother Daughter There’s been