<p>It was wonderful! He has been away for a month. We were visiting relatives this week-end. They reside about 2 hours away from where my son goes to college. One relative, who passes the college campus, was able to pick my son up from college. Yes, there are advantages to having Highway 81 cutting through campus!</p>
<p>Son looked well, and is happy. Those are the two most important things to me. Now getting to the lighter stuff: Well, I know that he has matured so much since hs graduation, but I did get a couple of reminders that he is still a teen! He knew that he was visiting family for a formal dinner, and I even discussed what he might want to pack for the evening. My idea was a pair of slacks, and any shirt with a collar (clean and unwrinkled). Well, he came with a pair a pair of jean shorts, and a t-shirt that was thrown into a laundry bag (Why did I fret about luggage a few months ago?). I never knew that his laundry bag would double as a suitcase! Yuck! Well, I would have let him suffer the consequences, and show up in the outfit he chose to wear. Unfortunately, when he saw our clothes, DS decided that he would not attend the dinner if we did not take him shopping. Yes, he won the battle, and it set me back $75 because I am stupid, but also a mother who wanted a pleasant evening with her son. I did achieve the my goal of a pleasant evening.</p>
<p>Just thought that I would share one of my very recent experiences a parent of a freshman.</p>
<p>I could just feel the happiness in your words. No matter how much they change, in some ways they still stay the same at this age, don’t they. Thanks for sharing.</p>
<p>Yes, I was happy to see him, happy about his growing up, ambivalent about his “boyish” behavior, but just so happy to see him. I really did not expect him to pack that way. He really has packed for trips before, and so I am puzzled as to why he packed the way he did for this short trip. He also did not shave before he left, and he did not bring a razor with him. He attended the family gathering with his 5:00 shadow, but I did not say a word.</p>
<p>Northeastmom, they do that deliberately to get you to buy new clothes for them. I used to always travel home with only my rattiest clothes so my mom would have to take me shopping… so I was onto the game when my son started it. They win,too, because we moms secretly enjoy going shopping and picking out clothes for our kids…</p>
<p>calmom, LOL! Actually, I can understand this game, but either he is starting some new behavior that I have never seen before, or he just was not thinking when he was packing his things. I do suspect the latter. I bought so many new things for him to wear before he left. He has a nice amount of new fall clothing that he has not even worn yet. He hates shoppping, so he almost never comes shopping. He keeps whatever I buy, as long as it fits. I don’t think he pulled this so that I would take him shopping for new clothes. I even told him that if he wants any other clothes to buy it, and call me. H and I are willing to reimburse him, but he has not purchased anything. He does not care much about brands, style, etc. He is not a exactly a retailer’s dream customer! I really wouldn’t mind if he became a little bit more interested in his wardrobe.</p>
<p>^ that would be my son. My guess is that he put off packing till the last minute, when the ride was at the door, or about to be. Then he stuffed something in a bag and ran. That also would be my son.</p>
<p>garland, I think you nailed it! He did attend a party the night before he left!</p>
<p>When I started my lecture, he cut me off saying that he does not need a lecture, he only needs to know that we will take him shopping to solve his dilemma. My H tried to shut me up for fear that he won’t show up to these family gatherings the next time. My “mom reflex” (from another thread) has me steaming, and still wanting to “lecture”…big sigh! Still it was so good to see him, that my usual motherly advice got tapered down quite a bit.</p>
<p>My S came home for a weekend because some of his friends from HS who are not around very often were going to be here. He carried home a small bag containing socks, underwear, and a bowling ball.</p>
<p>What an absolute delight that you got to see your college kiddo already and even more wonderful that you enjoyed a pleasant evening together (and some shopping, it seems! )!!! <em>ROFLMAO</em> about the clothing he packed!!</p>
<p>My son, too, is one of those “middle-of-the-night” packers who doesn’t give much thought to what he brings. Of course that doesn’t matter to me because I’m <em>SO</em> damn happy to see him each time! :D</p>
<p>At any rate, I’m very glad that the evening was enjoyable for all of you, and I’m thrilled (and a bit jealous!) that you got to see your son already!!</p>
<p>berurah, I understand your feelings. It was a few short hours that we had together, but it was just wonderful. It will need to tide me over to whenever I get to see him again. We wanted to go to the family weekend in a couple of weeks, however, FIL’s health issues may not make it possible. My S knew that before he left for college, but I needed to prepare him for the fact that we may just not be able to get to see him until Thanksgiving, although if at all possible, I may try to visit sooner. It is a tough time for our family right now, so this was a few hours of much needed happy family time. This is what makes the shorts and t-shirt relatively unimportant (yet still annoying).</p>
<p>{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}}…I am so very sorry to hear that your family is presently struggling with your FIL’s health issues. I <em>know</em> how torn you must feel right now what with the family weekend conflict. Do NOT feel guilty if you are uable to attend the family weekend. We were unable to attend last year (my son’s freshman year) due to financial constraints. We chose to bring him HERE for Fall Break, Thanksgiving, and of course, Winter Break, so that put the squeeze on the finances for family weekend. We figured that for US, it was better to bring him HERE so that he could see us, his five sibs, and his gf and friends than it was for ONE of us to be able to afford to go THERE. He survived…they tend to get “adopted” by other great parents! :)</p>
<p>Hang in there, and again, I’m so sorry that your FIL and your whole family is having a rough go right now. Keep us posted, O.K.?</p>
)!!! <em>ROFLMAO</em> about the clothing he packed!!</p>