Annual "I'm sad my child is leaving" thread

[Anonymous]

Mine come home at least once a month for weekend or more. Talk every day. It’s a bit more time for you - freedom to not cook dinner every night! Less laundry! But they will be back for weeks at break time and it’s like nothing changed

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My child is autistic with learning disabilities. For large parts of high school, I wasn't sure he'd go to college -- HS graduation wasn't even guaranteed. I'll miss him, but I'm not at all sad. I'm so freaking happy we've gotten to this point.

I'm so happy for you and your son, PP! Congratulations and best wishes!

Our youngest of three kids graduated from college last year. The transition to empty nesting was hard for me, but I want to assure you all that you and your kids can evolve and find a new way of being a family. You will probably worry a lot, but it's amazing to see them weather the challenges of adulthood. They will teach you new things and new ways of looking at the world. And they will bring new friends and partners into the family who will become your friends. Prayer and giving your dog entirely too much attention are both helpful strategies on this journey.

[Anonymous]

One word: pickleball

[Anonymous]

I'm sad my kid is leaving. At the same time, I'm an older parent, and I'm aware that the sooner they are independent and established in their careers, the better, in case I get hit with an unexpected health problem.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm sad my kid is leaving. At the same time, I'm an older parent, and I'm aware that the sooner they are independent and established in their careers, the better, in case I get hit with an unexpected health problem.

Good point.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Mine come home at least once a month for weekend or more. Talk every day. It’s a bit more time for you - freedom to not cook dinner every night! Less laundry! But they will be back for weeks at break time and it’s like nothing changed

Most kids don’t come home every month or talk to their parents every day. Kids who go out of state might only come home for Thanksgiving (or not even that if it’s far given the expensive airfare at that time), winter and spring breaks. Many stay on campus for jobs or research over the summer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've read them in the past and now I'm here. And am so incredibly sad and anxious that college is a month away and I'll be an empty nester. I am super excited for DC too. (I'm also not working right thx to DOGE so have a lot of time on my hands to dwell on it).t

More than DC actually leaving -though I'll miss DC terribly- it's sort of what it represents: end of childhood, end of our family unit as we know it, DC separating from us, nothing for me to look fw to but getting old, etc. And before I'm accused of not cutting the apron strings, I've always worked, traveled, done things with friends, etc. But, I'm never more happy when I'm home with my family and everyone is tucked in and safe.

How did you deal?

We moved. He brings his laundry home on the weekends. And as long as we see him once a week we don't chase him but if he misses a week we said we would cover ourselves in body paint and show up at his college football games and wander over to the student section asking for him. He didn't have any unexcused absences from weekend visits last year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've read them in the past and now I'm here. And am so incredibly sad and anxious that college is a month away and I'll be an empty nester. I am super excited for DC too. (I'm also not working right thx to DOGE so have a lot of time on my hands to dwell on it).t

More than DC actually leaving -though I'll miss DC terribly- it's sort of what it represents: end of childhood, end of our family unit as we know it, DC separating from us, nothing for me to look fw to but getting old, etc. And before I'm accused of not cutting the apron strings, I've always worked, traveled, done things with friends, etc. But, I'm never more happy when I'm home with my family and everyone is tucked in and safe.

How did you deal?

We moved. He brings his laundry home on the weekends. And as long as we see him once a week we don't chase him but if he misses a week we said we would cover ourselves in body paint and show up at his college football games and wander over to the student section asking for him. He didn't have any unexcused absences from weekend visits last year.

I hope you're joking but fear you're not. I feel bad for your son that he's being pressured to go home every weekend instead of building a life in college.