Stacey Solomon shared an emotional farewell with her eldest son Zachary this morning as the 18-year-old departed for a summer adventure in the United States.
The television presenter, 35, accompanied her teenager to the airport as he set off for Camp America, where he will spend the next five weeks living and working.
The former X Factor finalist, who placed third in the 2009 series behind Olly Murs and Joe McElderry, posted photographs on Instagram showing her beaming alongside Zachary before his departure.
A second image captured the teenager giving a thumbs up as he prepared to enter the terminal with his luggage.
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The Loose Women panellist openly admitted to experiencing conflicting emotions about her son’s departure, describing feelings of both immense pride and considerable heartache.
In her Instagram post, Ms Solomon revealed that her home, Pickle Cottage, would feel distinctly different without her firstborn present for over a month.
“It hurt my heart to drop you off this morning but I know you’re going to have the best time ever, and that camp is so lucky to have our Zachary in their lives for the summer,” she wrote.
The mother-of-five wished her son well, adding: “Good luck my darling boy. To the moon and stars and back again.”
Ms Solomon candidly expressed her internal conflict about the experience, questioning why her stomach was churning despite actively encouraging Zachary to pursue the opportunity.
“Please tell me why I really wanted him to do this experience & I am so happy for him but also so my gut is in knots??” she asked her followers.
Messages of support quickly flooded in following Solomon’s heartfelt post.
Shana Swash, sister of Solomon’s husband and former EastEnders actor Joe Swash, was among the first to respond, writing: “Enjoy handsome boy! Your gonna have the best time x.”
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Camp America themselves also reached out to reassure the concerned mother, commenting: “We know today is a big one. We’ll be here to support Zach every step of the way.
“Welcome to the Camp America family – we know he’s going to have an unforgettable summer!”
Fans shared their own experiences of children participating in the programme, with one noting their daughter had encountered bears near the camp and enjoyed numerous adventures during her time there.
Another parent revealed their son initially felt homesick during the first fortnight but ultimately loved the experience and made lasting friendships.
The trip marks Zachary’s second visit to America in recent weeks, having previously joined his mother and brother Leighton on a brand trip to Miami organised by Space NK.
Ms Solomon has spoken openly about reaching this milestone with her eldest child. During a BBC Radio 2 appearance earlier this year, she reflected on Zachary approaching adulthood, saying: “I’ve got an 18 year old, I know, it actually makes me really sad. I think I’m going to cry all day on his birthday.”
She noted that when she competed on The X Factor, Zachary was just one year old.
The Sort Your Life Out presenter became a mother at 17 and has previously addressed the judgement she faced as a young parent.
In a 2023 Mother’s Day post, she wrote that none of the negative opinions she encountered proved accurate, adding: “I look at each of them now and I have never felt so proud.”
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