Just dropped my freshman off at the airport…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As the parent to a 15 year old and a 17 year old…..this feels so foreign to me. I hope I miss them when they are gone but currently I miss them when they are in the house. One has been in her room all day—the other materialized to walk the dog then back to the video games. I barely see them and when I do it’s really a toss up as to whether they’ll be pleasant!
I will check back in on this in a year when I’m dropping my freshman back at the airport.

You crack me up! Same experience with my kids.

IMO, the thing is, even if you don't see them all day you know that they are around. Once they are off to college, especially OOS and far away, you realize you miss the snarky comments and the kid yelling in his headset while playing video games. Kids can be a pain in the ass but I missed that pain when they went off to college.

[Anonymous]

Dropping mine off tomorrow. We just finished having an argument where he asked for my help with something (downloading one of his textbooks) but then ignored my questions and kept interrupting me when I started explaining what I thought was going on. I snapped at him but I did figure out the problem quickly once he stopped talking.

This at the end of a lovely 5 weeks together. I know it just means it's time for him to go back, but still. I want to end on a high note tomorrow but suspect there will be drama about packing and late departure...

[Anonymous]

Yeah, it's hard. The fact that mine is having a much better year (Soph) after finding her peeps helps, but it also makes it more evident that she will move on. Nooooooo! But, it is so nice to have cool, funny, wonderful kids, right? Hang in there, moms!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One of my college kids left today and the other leaves at the end of the week. I have been fine while they’ve been away, but was surprised by how much happier I felt while they were here: life seems a bit brighter, the house warmer with emotion, everything just is in a little sharper focus. Things are fine while they’re away and I’m glad they’re thriving, but I also love having them around. I suppose it’s a win-win, but agree with OP that today feels a little bit sad.

This has been my experience as well. I miss him when he's gone, but I also love having time for me. When he's home, just having him in the house makes me happy he brings so much to our daily lives. I'm grateful that I can be happy in both "worlds" and I'm grateful he is comfortable in his two "worlds".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As the parent to a 15 year old and a 17 year old…..this feels so foreign to me. I hope I miss them when they are gone but currently I miss them when they are in the house. One has been in her room all day—the other materialized to walk the dog then back to the video games. I barely see them and when I do it’s really a toss up as to whether they’ll be pleasant!
I will check back in on this in a year when I’m dropping my freshman back at the airport.

Np i feel that your post was unnecessarily unkind and sort of dismissive.
I feel like you could have skipped this thread since you are not in this sitiation yet. Even if you are happy to have an empty nest there are thosr who feel sadness and to have someone like you come on here and not be supportive isnt cool

[Anonymous]

DS is still a junior but I’m already thinking how lonely and sad I will be when he’s gone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As the parent to a 15 year old and a 17 year old…..this feels so foreign to me. I hope I miss them when they are gone but currently I miss them when they are in the house. One has been in her room all day—the other materialized to walk the dog then back to the video games. I barely see them and when I do it’s really a toss up as to whether they’ll be pleasant!
I will check back in on this in a year when I’m dropping my freshman back at the airport.

Np i feel that your post was unnecessarily unkind and sort of dismissive.
I feel like you could have skipped this thread since you are not in this sitiation yet. Even if you are happy to have an empty nest there are thosr who feel sadness and to have someone like you come on here and not be supportive isnt cool

DP. Disagree. I posted above about missing my kid at college, and I think this is a nice twist on the topic. And funny. I also have one I have to call on the phone when she is actually in the house! But, I know I will miss her when she heads off in the Fall.

Reread the PP. It's light and funny and, while tangential, not disrespectful at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One of my college kids left today and the other leaves at the end of the week. I have been fine while they’ve been away, but was surprised by how much happier I felt while they were here: life seems a bit brighter, the house warmer with emotion, everything just is in a little sharper focus. Things are fine while they’re away and I’m glad they’re thriving, but I also love having them around. I suppose it’s a win-win, but agree with OP that today feels a little bit sad.

This has been my experience as well. I miss him when he's gone, but I also love having time for me. When he's home, just having him in the house makes me happy he brings so much to our daily lives. I'm grateful that I can be happy in both "worlds" and I'm grateful he is comfortable in his two "worlds".

DD is a sophomore, and I was so happy to reach this stage this year. Took me almost all her freshman year to figure out the new me. Basically, the old me plus age, slightly shifted interests and the whole parent experience.

It feels good to reach a stage where you can enjoy when they are home and away equally. It takes time and for some more and for some less.....and that is okay!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As the parent to a 15 year old and a 17 year old…..this feels so foreign to me. I hope I miss them when they are gone but currently I miss them when they are in the house. One has been in her room all day—the other materialized to walk the dog then back to the video games. I barely see them and when I do it’s really a toss up as to whether they’ll be pleasant!
I will check back in on this in a year when I’m dropping my freshman back at the airport.

You crack me up! Same experience with my kids.

IMO, the thing is, even if you don't see them all day you know that they are around. Once they are off to college, especially OOS and far away, you realize you miss the snarky comments and the kid yelling in his headset while playing video games. Kids can be a pain in the ass but I missed that pain when they went off to college.

+1 it’s a big difference when they are not under your roof anymore. You will miss them you just can’t imagine it much like I couldn’t imagine that I’d ever sleep in again when I had an infant.

[Anonymous]

I always thought parenting was easy with my DD who was pure joy and happiness. The moment I dropped her off at the airport I realized how hard parenting was. I guess the sweet the child, the harder it gets.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As the parent to a 15 year old and a 17 year old…..this feels so foreign to me. I hope I miss them when they are gone but currently I miss them when they are in the house. One has been in her room all day—the other materialized to walk the dog then back to the video games. I barely see them and when I do it’s really a toss up as to whether they’ll be pleasant!
I will check back in on this in a year when I’m dropping my freshman back at the airport.

You crack me up! Same experience with my kids.

IMO, the thing is, even if you don't see them all day you know that they are around. Once they are off to college, especially OOS and far away, you realize you miss the snarky comments and the kid yelling in his headset while playing video games. Kids can be a pain in the ass but I missed that pain when they went off to college.

+1 it’s a big difference when they are not under your roof anymore. You will miss them you just can’t imagine it much like I couldn’t imagine that I’d ever sleep in again when I had an infant.

Thank you for this! I realize my kids are young adults now. I have a hard time letting them go and do their thing when they are home. On the other hand, even if they are home, I know that they make choices at school that are independent of my expectations. Whatever. They are good kids and I miss them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:…and I am weepy. I thought it would be easier this time and it was compared to the fall, but I already miss him. It was so nice to have him at home for the past four weeks. We’ll see him again in March for Spring Break, so looking forward to that.

Same here. Felt like we spent more time with him than we had the weeks before he left for college. March will come soon hang in there!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:…and I am weepy. I thought it would be easier this time and it was compared to the fall, but I already miss him. It was so nice to have him at home for the past four weeks. We’ll see him again in March for Spring Break, so looking forward to that.

Why isn't he partying in Cancun for Spring Break? You only get four of them before the real world hits. Shouldn't waste them in your high school bedroom.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:…and I am weepy. I thought it would be easier this time and it was compared to the fall, but I already miss him. It was so nice to have him at home for the past four weeks. We’ll see him again in March for Spring Break, so looking forward to that.

Why isn't he partying in Cancun for Spring Break? You only get four of them before the real world hits. Shouldn't waste them in your high school bedroom.

Funny, haha. Not ALL kids think this is the way to spend Spring Break. Ours much prefer home or a small gathering of friends in a more sane location.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:…and I am weepy. I thought it would be easier this time and it was compared to the fall, but I already miss him. It was so nice to have him at home for the past four weeks. We’ll see him again in March for Spring Break, so looking forward to that.

Why isn't he partying in Cancun for Spring Break? You only get four of them before the real world hits. Shouldn't waste them in your high school bedroom.

Funny, haha. Not ALL kids think this is the way to spend Spring Break. Ours much prefer home or a small gathering of friends in a more sane location.

+1