Facebook posts of friends dropping their kids off at college making me teary

[Anonymous]

It feels like yesterday that their kids were munchkins and now they are leaving home and going to college. I am in the home stretch with my babies (both in HS) and it’s suddenly hit me how fast it goes and how ill-prepared I am. I seem to have forgotten that these all-encompassing moments with my kids under my roof won’t last forever. *sniff*

[Anonymous]

Kids are going to college already? I didn’t realize schools started this early

[Anonymous]

Yes, I remember feeling that way anticipating sadness when I dropped them off at college.

Now that the time is approaching in a few weeks, I cannot fricking wait!! DD has turned into a constant combatant and a general bitter pill. If I could drop her off early I would

[Anonymous]

Huh? It’s June. Who is getting dropped off at college? My kid starts early, and that’s in mid August.

[Anonymous]

Many schools offer summer programs for specific majors or general credit. My friend's kid spent 6 weeks in Europe taking a class via their school the summer before freshman year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, I remember feeling that way anticipating sadness when I dropped them off at college.

Now that the time is approaching in a few weeks, I cannot fricking wait!! DD has turned into a constant combatant and a general bitter pill. If I could drop her off early I would

+1. My mother warned me that this would happen with DS. They’re asserting independence and preparing to leave you. It’s easier to leave if they’re angry/annoyed.

DS is driving us crazy. I can’t wait to pack the car and take him to school!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Huh? It’s June. Who is getting dropped off at college? My kid starts early, and that’s in mid August.

Our neighbor’s daughter was recruited to FL state for swimming. She’s been there forever a few weeks already- Incoming freshman.

[Anonymous]

I cried when my friends’ kids graduated high school this year. They all assure me they are ready for an empty nest.

[Anonymous]

DC has the most amazing ability to know when I'm feeling sad about college...that's usually the exact moment when the kid does something that leaves me asking "is it time to start helping you pack yet?"

[Anonymous]

Well my twins leave in what about 6 weeks? And no they have not "soiled the nest" and I will be broken when they leave, but it's the natural order of things, and I will get over it. Didn't cry a tear at graduation, some at sports senior nights, but all in all holding up ok. That first night they are not with me, will be the worst.

The key is to focus on what you want to get back to before you were a mom (or dad). So i have some goals and first of which is to lose about 40 lbs to allow me to get back into those activities.

So not very parent is ready to kick their kid out of the house, I'm for sure not!

[Anonymous]

You will see that you enter a new phase with your kid in college that is different, but also as exciting and rewarding ( and challenging) as when they were little.

[Anonymous]

It’s a very poignant time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You will see that you enter a new phase with your kid in college that is different, but also as exciting and rewarding ( and challenging) as when they were little.

Really?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It feels like yesterday that their kids were munchkins and now they are leaving home and going to college. I am in the home stretch with my babies (both in HS) and it’s suddenly hit me how fast it goes and how ill-prepared I am. I seem to have forgotten that these all-encompassing moments with my kids under my roof won’t last forever. *sniff*

Of course, it makes sense to appreciate our kids while they're home and feel a sense of loss when they leave. But - and I mean this in the nicest way - it sounds like you might want to spend some time this summer and next year preparing for the next phase of your adult life.

FWIW, I'm watching some of my friends fall apart when their kids leave for college. They have jobs and other relationships, but it turns out that their lives revolved around their kids much more than I realized, and they seem pretty lost. They're the moms who text constantly with their college-age kids, know all the details of their lives there, and text us (and post to FB) all sorts of stuff about their kids' college activities and achievements. Maybe that's in the range of normal these days, but it doesn't seem so healthy to me.

Have you considered making a list of the things you're looking forward to doing now that your kids are in HS? Hobbies, time with new friends, books/classes, professional goals? We all have identities separate from being our kids' parent.

[Anonymous]

When you are in it though, it's not always sad. I could not wait to drop my oldest off, and he felt the same way. Peace out, we both need time away.

Next is my middle child in August. It's time. Everyone is happy here about finally moving on with life.