December is here!

Parent Cafe
1

<p>I’m wondering how many of you look back 12 months ago this time of the year. Did you have a good year? Have you done everything you wanted to do?</p>

<p>Looking back one year ago, I’m in the same situation that I was by then: waiting to know where my second kid will go next year.<br>
One year ago, I was pushing my son to finish his applications. They were done the very last minute and thanks to the Internet, we didn’t have to rush to the post office. Few days after that, I started to be anxious waiting for letters to come.
-“Is he getting fat envelopes or tiny letters? Nothing yet! Maybe tomorrow…”-
I was nervous, my son did not, he was busy enjoying himself at school, and his senior year was his best. By February, likely letters and likely calls came, and then, another problem: “who will decide where he is going? Not too far, please” And the chosen one was the farthest college he applied to! Well, three airports around…we will be driving back and forth to all of them for the next four years…
After the decision was made, I had a sense of relief. “One down, one more to go!”</p>

<p>Besides the stress, I enjoyed every minute of my S’s senior year; everything was new for me, everything was a “well done mission!” Hats off to my son and the family!
All this was followed by the prom and graduation and…the visit of my mother in law, her first time in fourteen years (it went fine, but it could be better…) Soon after she left, we all went on a trip to Japan. We had a wonderful time, and my son enjoyed every second of his graduation present, the trip of his dreams.</p>

<p>Then, came moving in day… couple of tears, and a couple more, many hugs and more tears. So far, my son had a wonderful first semester at college, but we can’t stop missing him. </p>

<p>I have to say that we had a very good year, except for one sad episode last September, the breaking up of my D and her long time BF that it is still haunting us because the kid doesn’t want to give up and that breaks my heart. At least, they met again in Thanksgiving and there were smiles and many hugs, so who knows what is going on with them by now. </p>

<p>Today, November is hours away to be gone and where am I? Same place, same situation than last year with a senior on the go, this time, my “baby” girl, and again, I’m anxious waiting to know what those letters will tell us, I mean, the letter (she applied ED). At least, the school musical is coming soon and we will enjoy it as we usually do. This time, there will be the last cheers to our favorite singer, our beautiful (and stubborn) young lady.</p>

<p>What will be of me next December, waiting to send my dog to college?</p>

2

<p>I don’t envy you having kids just a year apart in school! Although I think the whole process was interesting and enjoyable (for the most part) and certainly educational, it must be tough to have to turn around and do the whole thing, including trips, apps, interviews etc. all over again so soon! Good luck to your D in two weeks. It’s a nervewracking wait at this point and I can hardly believe it’s been a year since that time for us already!</p>

<p>However, as far as the dog going away to college, as smart as mine is (and we all think he’s THE smartest one in the family -to the point that we’ve thought of signing him up for one of those crazy pet tricks shows) I’m sorry to admit that where’ he’s concerned I’m an overly controlling mother - I plan to keep him right here at home!</p>

3

<p>It is interesting to reflect. A year ago we were nervously waiting for the ED decision. Even though my son was a recruited athlete, none of us were going to breathe easily until the official acceptance was in hand. I was job-hunting in Dallas and we were getting ready to go on a wonderful cruise with a family group of 12. D was in the process of outgrowing and discarding a boyfriend of 2 years. </p>

<p>Fast forward. H and I are in a new house in a new city where we moved for my new job. D acquired a new boyfriend on the cruise and they are discussing wedding dates (in the future). H has been through diagnosis of prostate cancer, research and surgery and is now recovering. No kids are in high school and we have no teenagers. D is preparing to graduate from Rice in May and S is happily navigating the freshman waters at his first choice college. </p>

<p>The dog also had surgery, and we have no plans to send him to college. I want him at my feet and loving me unconditionally!</p>

4

<p>Phew! some year! Is the Wild Child participating in his sport?</p>

5

<p>Not yet. He has struggled with an IT Band injury (knee) since August 2005. He had surgery in May and is close to being able to do some real training (he thinks). He has been doing PT and other rehab. It has been a very frustrating process for him, and, frankly, I am surprised he hasn’t given up. He’ll get there- not sure when-but he’ll get there. Freshman runners aren’t very important to the team anyway, which is some consolation.</p>

6

<p>Where did November go? It was so SHORT this year!</p>

<p>Yeah, it’s amazing to think of last year at this time–the essays, the apps going out, the uncertainty (at least on my part–I think my son always knew which was the right school for him.) </p>

<p>And now he’s in college like his older sibs. It was wonderful to see them exchanging stories at Thanksgiving. At least we get a breather until the next one even thinks about college, as he’s only a HS freshman!</p>

7

<p>Our life seems so different - last of three in college - his oldest sister entered grad school after a year of work - second sister is a senior in college. Son went far away to college - the first to do that! We are in the process of selling a huge house (for our standards) and moving to a town home which will be completed - newly built - sooner than we want. I could never have taken on this project of purging our material things last year. Too busy with son’s 3 sports, college applications, on and on. I am currently not employed, although start a coach position in the spring. I could not do all of this moving stuff with a job. Things are so different with kids being gone. But it is so much fun being in touch and looking forward to fun times together. We are all in touch. Funny - I can actually see th floor of son’s room. In two days he will have his bed and that is it - all being sold for new stuff in new, smaller home. When this is all done I will find a job - I am a teacher but don’t know if I want to go back there. Will see.</p>