Freak out. Do it. Go through all the emotions. They are warranted and it is your right.
Our D is a senior at a top BS. It was her decision to apply and to go. We were strongly opposed. Eventually gave in based on the opportunity. She has been intensely challenged and has risen to the challenge. She has loved every minute-mostly the freedom to make her own way. She is a school leader, an athlete, strong academically and considers her school her home. She has great college offers with more to come, we expect.
Knowing how much she has grown and how much she has loved it, I still can’t swear we would do it again. It does mean giving up being a significant part of their lives, of making memories, of sharing moments, of imparting values. She turns 18 in ten days…and we won’t be there. Their daily school schedules are way too full to be interrupted.
Her middle school learning partner-they were on their own elevated track together-stayed behind at the local school, has been the big fish in a small pond, and with his outstanding statistics, all being relative, was admitted early to Harvard. One and done. Boom. And he stayed home. We can’t take back the time we did not get to share with our D She will soon leave for college and as our 4th child, we know that is the final launch. Don’t feel badly about freaking out and wondering if it is really what you want. It is still your decision too.