<p>Hi All! I am a mom of an amazing daughter who will start college fall 2015 and every little thing that we do this holiday season makes me tear up thinking that she will not be here next year at this time. I know the empty nest was not invented for no reason LOL, it really amazes me that I am already feeling it. I don’t want to make her feel like she has to “take care” of me–not her job of course!</p>
<p>Anyway, this is really special to have a place to relate to others that are in the same place. It’s just life’s journey, but no one ever said it would be easy!</p>
<p>Happy Holidays 2014–
Best,
CVSLOMOM</p>
<p>Wait- she’ll be home for at least part of her winter break, right? You and she will get to enjoy the good parts of holidays. Any tree trimming, house decorating, cookie baking you want her to participate in can wait. Outside lights typically are not done by the kids. Ages and stages. Think about how you have evolved in your holiday preparations over the years- and continue to evolve. Life does not end when kids become adults. </p>
<p>PS- for some of us the next holiday is New Years. Thanksgiving was visiting son thousands of miles away (no cleaning, prepping, cooking, yea!). We never did Divali- which most people forget is equally important to Hindus as the JudeoChristain ones are to others (a neighbor hangs his lights then and leaves them up so I remember it as well as wishing inlaws a happy one).</p>
<p>We used to do a secular Christmas but gradually I stopped with the effort as it was mainly ignored. Think about the important aspects of the holidays. Find out which parts really mean the most to the rest of your family. Once the tree is up do people pay any attention to it? Do they really want every cookie you bake? Do they pay attention to any decorations? Is the number of presents under the tree as important as when they were little? How much of what you do flies under their busy teen radars? Reality check, mom</p>
<p>PS- you’ll do fine next year when you have the anticipation of seeing your D and showing her the end results, not the process, of your holiday endeavors. </p>
<p>Thank you for your comments; and I know the reality will be just fine, but the emotions are still hard a little. You just start realizing that this is what we wish for our babies when they first come into this world, but like baby birds leaving the proverbial nest, you look back at the times that have come and gone and realize time stops for no one.</p>
<p>All in all we are so excited to see what/where her next adventure will be!</p>
<p>Thanks again for the thoughts!</p>
<p>It sounds like your daughter may be an only child? I had a hard time with my first, teared up a lot during her senior year. When she went away I found myself setting a place for her at the table sometimes out of habit. The other 2 going were much easier to deal with. The oldest stayed in her college city after graduation, but we moved the second to a permanent apartment in a new city a few months ago, and that was hard too. Youngest went to school so far away that she only gets back at winter break, but it has been OK. We do wait for her to get home Dec 20 to decorate the tree, but I had to make cookies on my own to send away to her. My husband and I have been doing all right by ourselves, which makes it better also. We had no children home for Thanksgiving, but they will all be here for Christmas. Everyone’s situation is unique; enjoy this year as much as you can!</p>
<p>I am one of those people who cries easily over silly, sentimental stuff, like commercials on TV and those touching email stories that make the rounds. I only wear waterproof mascara! LOL That being said, I thought I would bawl like a baby during my D’s graduation (I cried through my own), but I surprised myself and did not tear up even once. I also thought I would cry when I moved her in at college, but I did not shed one tear. When the time came, as much as I realized it was a milestone that we would never see again, I was ready for it. It was just part of the natural progression of growing up. This time next year, you will look back and wonder why you were worried about it. Hang in there. </p>