<p>I don’t think that feeling sad is a negative in this regard. I know that my tears are for my son, who has been such a joy to raise and so much fun, leaving home. I know its natural and I have done it with 3 others who are now 33,32,31 respectively, but now its my 18 year olds turn and I think the combination of pride in him, knowing that this phase of my life is truly over and just the joy of watching him become a man have left me with such emotion that I cannot keep it all in. I did fine during graduation ceremonies, but when I read the original post, good grief, it all came flooding back. As the one poster says, I cannot even imagine how it will be when he drives off to college!
We did good! Let us bawl if we want, LOL!</p>
<p>Wow, I was in this same place last summer. Our only child getting ready to leave for college. I too enjoyed the journey with my daughter. Having lost our parents at an early adult age, we were a very close knit family, just the three of us, we did everything together. It was a bittersweet summer. I was so happy for her and at the same time scared of what the future would be without her around. I had my friends, my job and my husband, but I knew things would be different.
But…It is true, the anticipation is worse than the actual.
Things did get better. Husband and I actually started dating and hanging out together more. He pursued some of his hobbies and I started my own little creative business on the side, beading, making and designing jewelry. When we saw how she loved where she was and how she adjusted and was doing well, it made it so much easier. After a short while, we realized that we felt more bouyant and free, cause we weren’t parenting 24/7, we didn’t feel the angst of where is she, who is she with, is there enough food in the house, is her room clean, getting her to the soccer game, and all the other activities, etc. etc. When you step away, you realize that so much of your energy has been focused on your children for so many years, it can be a freeing experience for you, your partner and your child. We are each growing and doing this together. I wouldn’t trade any of it.</p>
<p>So now she is home and we are so glad she is here, we are back to our old selves, but secretly, husband and I will look forward to the fall when she will be back at school.</p>
<p>So like many of you, my daughter will be heading off in the late summer. My bad day this year was last September when she turned 18 and it hit me that she would be leaving. I was telling my college students (all freshmen) how sad I was that she would be leaving and they said, “You should be happy for her; it will be a new wonderful part of life for her.” I responded, “This is totally about me.” The year got better because her high school was not a good fit for her and we are all looking forward to the end and the next stage to begin.</p>
<p>Now, she pops into the room and says, “You’re going to miss me next year.” I VERY cheerfully respond, “No, I’m not because I am going to fly in every Saturday and have lunch with you!” ($50 on Southwest) Of course, I am kidding, but knowing that I could makes us both feel better. Well, she is a bit nervous that I might.</p>
<p>Too Funny!</p>
<p>D graduating this weekend. younger D graduating 8th grade middle of next week. I expect to be weepy from here on out. I have managed to stay in denial for the past few months, but this morning it really hit me. Good luck to all of your kids!</p>
<p>Parents,</p>
<p>I won’t lie. It is difficult. It really is. But it really does get better month after month. DS (an only) is now a rising college senior and is off on yet another out-of-state internship. I still get choked up every time I say goodbye. But my life has its own equilibrium now; and part of it is loving and being proud of my out-of-the-house son. I no longer feel like I am walking around with a hole in my heart; it healed sometime in the last 3 years while I wasn’t paying attention.</p>
<p>~mafool</p>
<p>I am facing the same thing in just 21 days and I am not looking forward to it a bit. I can’t seem to find a really waterproof mascara, but I don’t think I’ll be the only one crying. All of my kids have always been the “See you later” type, whenever they went to school or any new situation. All 3 of them are alike in that, so D is looking forward to college in another state- 4 1/2 hours away- in the fall. One more child to go, in another 3 years…</p>