Drop off at college

[Anonymous]

Maybe I missed it but I’m surprised there’s no thread about dropping kids off at school. It’s like ripping out your heart and stomping in it a little and then leaving it! I’m not even a dramatic or emotional person! Even my husband is sad! It’s so exciting and they’re ready but this is hard! Just putting it out there!

[Anonymous]

Every year there's a thread, OP. You're just late, because most kids have moved in and started already.

[Anonymous]

I think I'll mostly be relieved. Deep in applications now and it doesn't feel like anything is going to work out.

[Anonymous]

This is funny because I AM generally an emotional person and would consider myself very close to my daughter. I have not had this type of reaction and am wondering what's wrong with me. In the past few years, I'd get sad thinking about her eventually leaving, and now that she has, I'm kind of like, "well, we all knew this was happening and she's where she is supposed to be." Not at all what I expected.

[Anonymous]

I am not outwardly emotional and I had a very hard time dropping off my son last year. I’m sad to report that second year drop off was even worse, because our family “reestablished” this last summer with DS a major part of it and now it feels brand new having him move out again. Hopefully there is some scar tissue that will make my recovery quicker.

I’m only heartened that perhaps it will be easier dropping Kid 2 next year - especially since she is already flapping her wings causing a lot of head butting in our home .

[Anonymous]

I cry read it easily and have a tight relationship with my oldest who I just dropped off at college two weeks ago. That said, I didn’t cry or get emotional the day of drop off. But every day, I’ve been missing him and it feels like a hole in my heart when he’s not around.

It sux. I know it’s normal; he’s adjusting well and I’m happy for him, but I still miss him being in my life daily.

[Anonymous]

Gut wrenching last 2 days, Wednesday was drop off.

Everyone is happy and excited now.

[Anonymous]

I was busying myself with dorm buying and work that I was surprised I wasn’t feeling anything (I’m very emotional, feel deep). And it wasn’t until the car was packed the night before that my son and both broke down and were death grip jogging and crying, husband joined in.

Move in day I was fine. The following day saying good-bye my son was really sad and we had a hard time on initial good bye.

Son had a great night and made a good group of friends and we will be adjusting to family of 3 instead of 4 at home. Brothers are extremely close so it’s going to be hard on my junior in HS, more than the one busy experiencing everything new at college.

[Anonymous]

^ Dark grip hugging, not jogging 😃

[Anonymous]

We drop ours off next year for the first time.

I want to do our first kid-free vacation in 18 years two weeks later. My wife doesn't want to go on vacation so soon because "DD might need us."

[Anonymous]

We dropped our oldest kid off about 10 days ago and I was pretty much fine until today. He texted asking me to take him off of an email list for his sport (brother still involved) because "getting practice time updates is making me sad." I think he was just kind of bummed, but it sent me into hysterics.

[Anonymous]

My body basically broke down. Perimenopause at 8 months without a period and the day before move-in, period came raging back. Other body issues, etc. All stress-induced which frankly emotionally I thought I was doing okay, but I think the month of getting ready mentally and physically for move-in day last week of August just broke me down. My body knew more than me.

I was surprised at the emotions raging through us. It is full circle, 18 years. I am so proud of who he turned out to be and where he is headed, his work and just being in all around 'good person' and then you can't help but think back on all of those memories and bringing them home from the hospital. You know you did a good job to get them this far and that job includes being able to allow them to successfully launch and move onto the next stage (without making them feel bad about it---cue self try to stay upbeat, try to stay upbeat).

We saw an entirely new side to our firstborn this week. He is usually incredibly stoic and not emotional and even his texts were full of words of praise and love for us and thankful. It opened up a new channel of communication and emotion between us and him. I think he also reflected on how great his childhood was and how much love and support is behind him, and he is grown up enough now to realize it and voice gratitude. My heart is full.

[Anonymous]

There is usually a thread every year. Most people express sadness about leaving their child, but then there are a few who criticize everybody for having feelings and are like, “I just opened the passenger door and shoved them out. Land the helicopter!”

[Anonymous]

There was a thread last week. I guess those parents have gotten used to it by now 😄

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We drop ours off next year for the first time.

I want to do our first kid-free vacation in 18 years two weeks later. My wife doesn't want to go on vacation so soon because "DD might need us."

Your wife needs to get over herself. And the fact that is has been 18 years means no way she'll go on the vacation. Good luck.