Freshman parents - how are you feeling?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just dropped off my eldest son, and held it together while we were at school, but now home and am really feeling it. Only 2 years left with my remaining child, and then that’s it. Definitely not looking forward to what comes after that. My husband and I are estranged and will likely divorce once kids gone-I am sure that contributes to my grief over losing my eldest. Would be a different situation if I had a true life partner to move ahead with in this journey.

Same, but mine are daughters. Hang in there, friend.

Be good to yourself.

[Anonymous]

Drop off went fine and I was happy there was just a voice crack when my son was with me. But I keep crying with no notice now that we are back home and I miss him so much. I feel really selfish but at least he doesn’t see it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm so excited for my oldest to experience college. I'm probably more excited than he is. I don't know why I don't feel loss about this, but so far I don't. I'm just so excited for him.

+1. We dropped ours off yesterday and then went out to dinner and toasted to him. I feel like a momma bird when her babies fledge.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just dropped off my eldest son, and held it together while we were at school, but now home and am really feeling it. Only 2 years left with my remaining child, and then that’s it. Definitely not looking forward to what comes after that. My husband and I are estranged and will likely divorce once kids gone-I am sure that contributes to my grief over losing my eldest. Would be a different situation if I had a true life partner to move ahead with in this journey.

Same, but mine are daughters. Hang in there, friend.

Be good to yourself.

Also sending hugs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have worked ourselves out of a job. Gone are the weekends spent traveling for soccer. The horse camps and the hand print turkeys are now all a distant memory.

We have a delayed trip scheduled for the day after move-in. We are no longer bound by school and sports schedules.

It is bittersweet, but we are so ready!!!

Lol. Hand print turkeys! Now that’s like toddler level!!!

[Anonymous]

i am unable to properly explain how completely devastated I am. Selfishly so, and as such I am trying to hide if from DS. He is ready to go....everything we've worked for is here.....damnit, it's here. I have been thinking alot lately about what a blessing it is to feel this devastation, that he is in fact healthy, happy and moving on..... I think about what some families would give to feel what I am feeling right now.....and that is snapping me out of it.....a bit. Gratitude. It's always the great level-set I need. But in truth, I am a mess. Signed, Otherwise happy wife, daughter, friend and dr. having the worst time letting her first go.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Drop off went fine and I was happy there was just a voice crack when my son was with me. But I keep crying with no notice now that we are back home and I miss him so much. I feel really selfish but at least he doesn’t see it.

Same. I can’t stop crying. It’s just awful, miss him so much.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:i am unable to properly explain how completely devastated I am. Selfishly so, and as such I am trying to hide if from DS. He is ready to go....everything we've worked for is here.....damnit, it's here. I have been thinking alot lately about what a blessing it is to feel this devastation, that he is in fact healthy, happy and moving on..... I think about what some families would give to feel what I am feeling right now.....and that is snapping me out of it.....a bit. Gratitude. It's always the great level-set I need. But in truth, I am a mess. Signed, Otherwise happy wife, daughter, friend and dr. having the worst time letting her first go.

It does get better. I found the rhythm of the breaks with time home/time at school becomes a new normal. (Mother of a now-junior who felt the same).

[Anonymous]

I am actually thrilled. I have a family member which a child who can never attend college and will be at home his whole life. THAT’S sad:

My DS moving on to this next phase of life — I am so, so happy for him. I watched him walk away chatting with a few other kids from his dorm and my DH and I looked at each other all smiles.

Do I miss him? Sure: But I am far more excited. No
Tears. No devastation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:i am unable to properly explain how completely devastated I am. Selfishly so, and as such I am trying to hide if from DS. He is ready to go....everything we've worked for is here.....damnit, it's here. I have been thinking alot lately about what a blessing it is to feel this devastation, that he is in fact healthy, happy and moving on..... I think about what some families would give to feel what I am feeling right now.....and that is snapping me out of it.....a bit. Gratitude. It's always the great level-set I need. But in truth, I am a mess. Signed, Otherwise happy wife, daughter, friend and dr. having the worst time letting her first go.

I feel you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Drop off went fine and I was happy there was just a voice crack when my son was with me. But I keep crying with no notice now that we are back home and I miss him so much. I feel really selfish but at least he doesn’t see it.

Hugs.

[Anonymous]

I'm feeling pretty good. DD and I are super close and I am confident that will continue, even though it will be different. She has had some serious health issues and I wasn't 100% sure college would happen for her this year, so honestly, it's a huge victory that she's there and doing well so far. It's hard to feel sad.

I also don't have a lot of time to obsess over it -- I'm in grad school, working full-time, parenting another child, volunteering, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have worked ourselves out of a job. Gone are the weekends spent traveling for soccer. The horse camps and the hand print turkeys are now all a distant memory.

We have a delayed trip scheduled for the day after move-in. We are no longer bound by school and sports schedules.

It is bittersweet, but we are so ready!!!

This post makes me want to cry -- and also smile. Bittersweet is an appropriate word!

Cliche, I know, but looking back, it happened in the blink of an eye!