My youngest daughter, Sydney, is in Israel this week. She was so excited when she called me a few months ago from school to tell me that she and her friend Jaime had applied together to take a Birthright trip. Sydney was even more excited when she called to tell me that they had both been accepted on a trip.

Quickly, however, the excitement turned to despondency when they realized that they were not put on the same trip. Sydney’s trip was to leave the day before Jaime’s trip. Clearly upset about this unexpected turn of events Sydney asked me to help me cancel her trip. I refused.

While Sydney was nervous and upset about going on this trip alone, I knew that she would have the time of her life. I also knew that, out of all my children, she is the most outgoing and would have the easiest time making friends. For weeks she argued with me, begging me to help her cancel the trip. Knowing that I was right, I continued to refuse.

Sydney has been gone over a week now, and from what she has been telling me and the pictures I have seen, she has been having a great time. As parents, we substitute our judgment for that of our children often but it’s not always easy to do. In this instance, it was very difficult but I am so happy that I stuck with my position. I am so glad she went and is having the experience of a lifetime.

I may not even say, “I told you so,” when she comes home.