Kids heading back to school, and I’m sad

[Anonymous]

Kid is arriving on the 9th and leaving on the 10th or 11th. We will hardly see him. He’s coming from studying abroad then visiting his grandparents.

[Anonymous]

I know several moms that burden their only child with their unhealthy attachment and are over the top and needy making the kid feel guilty and a responsibility to regulate their mom’s emotions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Virginia colleges have another week off.

Mine doesn’t go back until Jan. 18.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know several moms that burden their only child with their unhealthy attachment and are over the top and needy making the kid feel guilty and a responsibility to regulate their mom’s emotions.

Oh yes, I know some of these moms as well. I have one friend who weeps regularly at her son leaving the nest. It’s all very melodramatic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know several moms that burden their only child with their unhealthy attachment and are over the top and needy making the kid feel guilty and a responsibility to regulate their mom’s emotions.

Oh yes, I know some of these moms as well. I have one friend who weeps regularly at her son leaving the nest. It’s all very melodramatic.

Not healthy for mom or kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I love my kids fiercely, but these posts always make me feel like a black heart. Happy to see them come, and equally happy to return to my clean house and empty nester lifestyle. I get so much joy watching them conquer the world.

😳

yeah, what does "conquering the world look like?" Mine got great grades at top schools, have friends and are involved on campus activities.
Is this conquering the world?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I love my kids fiercely, but these posts always make me feel like a black heart. Happy to see them come, and equally happy to return to my clean house and empty nester lifestyle. I get so much joy watching them conquer the world.

😳

yeah, what does "conquering the world look like?" Mine got great grades at top schools, have friends and are involved on campus activities.
Is this conquering the world?

Does it mean, going out there and doing their things?

[Anonymous]

Yes! Mine is only a 3 hour train ride away or 2 hour drive but I just miss him being around. I’m glad though that he really enjoys it. I sort of see him throughout the quarter because he and his friends will come down to do stuff in SF or the area and sleep at our house to save money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I love my kids fiercely, but these posts always make me feel like a black heart. Happy to see them come, and equally happy to return to my clean house and empty nester lifestyle. I get so much joy watching them conquer the world.

😳

yeah, what does "conquering the world look like?" Mine got great grades at top schools, have friends and are involved on campus activities.
Is this conquering the world?

That was my post, didn't expect it to be taken so literally. To me it is an expression, "go conquer your little corner of the world." And they are, completing some interesting research with a professor and working tons of hours working as an EMT. More than I'd like sometimes, but love seeing them thrive and make a difference at college.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Kid is arriving on the 9th and leaving on the 10th or 11th. We will hardly see him. He’s coming from studying abroad then visiting his grandparents.

What thread did you mistakenly think you were responding to?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is a natural progression of the hyper-involved parenting that has been in vogue the last 30 years. Parents cannot let go.

This is the natural response of an idiot who has no understanding of normal human relationships and feelings.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I love my kids fiercely, but these posts always make me feel like a black heart. Happy to see them come, and equally happy to return to my clean house and empty nester lifestyle. I get so much joy watching them conquer the world.

😳

yeah, what does "conquering the world look like?" Mine got great grades at top schools, have friends and are involved on campus activities.
Is this conquering the world?

That was my post, didn't expect it to be taken so literally. To me it is an expression, "go conquer your little corner of the world." And they are, completing some interesting research with a professor and working tons of hours working as an EMT. More than I'd like sometimes, but love seeing them thrive and make a difference at college.

Ignore the jerks, PP. Your response was fine. And you are not a black heart. Neither are the sad parents necessarily helicopter parents. There is a range of normal, healthy reactions to all life transitions. Unfortunately, there are always jerks on the internet who get their jollies being mean to strangers. Now that is not a normal, healthy way to live your life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Mine goes back this week. I am jaellusof all the families who have their kids honey til the end of Jan.

Oh my gosh - same here. Went way too fast. And this is DC’s second year, which is harder than last year for some reason.

[Anonymous]

Mine doesn’t start class until the 21st.

2 more week at home !!

[Anonymous]

Mine came home Dec 11th and left yesterday Jan 3. Those 3 weeks flew by!!

I do miss him but I’m happy he’s back at school. He’ll come back for some medical appointments at the end of Jan and then I probably won’t see him until it’s time to pick him up in May.

In the meantime I am cleaning the house and putting things back in place. It feels calm now which isn’t a bad thing. Enjoying it for now.