Something is wrong, but who knows what it is. Normal people don't invite people over to see them cry when sending off a kid at college.

As PP said, you might want to check in with SIL sooner rather than later. She might be sort of appreciate it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow, what a judgy jerk you are OP.

Come on. This isn't normal. Have you ever seen a parent cry at a gathering like this? Most of us cry discreetly after dropping off our kid, and no one is the wiser...

My manager at work cried on and off for MONTHS before her child went to college. And then her child went and two weeks later she was completely fine and seemed happier than she'd been in years. I think it is both a pivotal transition and hits during perimenopause and the combo can be a lot.

Some people feel things deeply.

Was adult beverages served at this gathering? That tends to "enhance" big feelings 😉

I'm not a cryer but the one who concerns me here is you. What's going on in you life that you feel the need to post about them and speculate that their marriage is in trouble or that something is wrong?

You are as cold as ice

Anonymous wrote:Wow, what a judgy jerk you are OP.

Come on. This isn't normal. Have you ever seen a parent cry at a gathering like this? Most of us cry discreetly after dropping off our kid, and no one is the wiser...

Anonymous wrote:Do they have an only child? I've had two go away to college. I cried in the car a little on the way home. Maybe they are overwhelmed by this new chapter. You might want to have them out for dinner to see how they're doing.

Sorry, I see in the title they only have one child. Give them grace.

I'm very introverted and this would make me cringe. But to each their own, I guess. My circle has all sent at least one kid to college, and no one cried during a party. They sniff a bit in the car while returning home after dropping off their kid. But if they had a graduation party AND a goodbye party, maybe they're the type to emote in public.

Wow, what a judgy jerk you are OP.

Do they have an only child? I've had two go away to college. I cried in the car a little on the way home. Maybe they are overwhelmed by this new chapter. You might want to have them out for dinner to see how they're doing.

They got emotional when people were telling stories about their only child. Its a big transition. Just wait until you are there. Everyone reacts differently, but this seems like one of the normal responses.

Oh OP could you possibly be more petty? Why exactly are you jealous of your BIL and SIL?

All of my friends and I have had kids leave for college, and none of us did that. It's surprising, especially if you say that usually they're not demonstrative.

My oldest was born a micro-preemie, has a variety of special needs and medical issues. Frankly it's a miracle that he was able to talk and walk, let alone be in college at all. We sacrificed so much for him over the years, and he worked ten times as hard as the average kid - I know, I can compare to my other kids! Recalling his difficult childhood, and our family struggles, and his academic success makes me emotional inside, and when I'm alone, I do tear up... but I'm not going to cry in front of others!

My niece is leaving for college later this week, so BIL and SIL threw a spontaneous casual gathering with a few dozen friends and family to sort of say goodbye and share stories. This was not a high school graduation party, that was in June.

Multiple times during the gathering my normally super composed SIL began crying, which led to some of her friends and family members crying too and consoling her. Even my BIL was tearing up.

Our kids are still a few years from college. I'm 100% sure I'll cry when that happens, but I've never seen such a reaction publicly, days before a kid actually leaves at that. It honestly also made me and my husband a little concerned for their marriage as new empty nesters.