<p>On this topic of drop-off, I agree with RWE that it’s very individual and dependent on the specific family’s dynamic. I know of one mom and dad who brought their bikes with them when dropping daughter off with the intention of turning it into a mini-vacation of several days’ length. Not surprisingly, this made a difficult experience more difficult for everyone. Also not surprising is that the crying began for this family days before they left for school and frankly didn’t stop for most of the first semester. </p>
<p>Our plan is to arrive for move-in about 11am Wed and leave the next morning. This timing is ideal because our son begins a two-day seminar class Wed at 5pm and thus is immersed immediately into campus life with no time for sitting alone in his dorm room wondering what just happened. After getting him settled Wed afternoon, wife and I have that evening and the next mornnig to get him anything that he clearly needs. We can also explore IC a little and get a decent rest before driving home (4.5hrs) the next day.</p>
<p>So I think the immediate departure CB proposes for mom is maybe not ideal because it puts her on the road for a LONG time in one day and also gets her out of town when she might be needed, either to buy dorm essentials or to assist with some aspect of orientation. It would also, as RWE points out, not give her a chance to see campus. I think the next-day afternoon departure for her makes the most sense.</p>
<p>As a parent, I can say that this will be an emotional experience but I will not convey to my son any sense of sadness or loss. Everything we have done for him since the age of 5 - countless daycamps, summer schools, Boy Scout camps, HS choice, etc - has pointed to this day. He needs to be able to confidently leave the nest with no fear or trepidation. We will miss him and he will miss us but I think we’re all in agreement that this is an essential part of his becoming an adult, and anything that calls into question the wisdom of this launching forth is not allowed in our house.</p>