<p>I’ve just had an experience that I know many of you have had, more than once. But I thought I’d share it for those who may be in the same boat–or will be soon. My son is my first and only, and he was 2 for 2 on college acceptances so far this year. So it was inevitable. Today he found out he was not accepted at–let’s be truthful here–my favorite school (he loved it, too). It was a reach, but not a huge or totally unrealistic reach. I shed some tears–well, quite a few tears, in the privacy of the bathroom. Meanwhile, he is completely, absolutely philosophical about it. And he is not the kind of kid who hides his disappointment, so this is an honest reaction. When given a lemon, he “makes lemonade,” always.</p>
<p>So my inner child–the one from extremely insecure parents!–emerged briefly, only to be reminded that I, too have “made lemonade.” I’ve raised a resilient, cup-half-full kid. And boy, am I proud of him!</p>
<p>Neat story! Yeah, I think these things sometimes hit the parents harder than the kids. My son will get briefly disappointed about something, but–sometimes after venting to me or a friend–will be over it and moving on. It sometimes takes me a bit longer… :)</p>
<p>I can feel your disappointment! Even though you knew it would be a reach, there was still that glimmer of hope, and now it’s gone. Honestly, I think this whole process has been harder on me than it has been on my son. He’s had kind of a whatever-will-be attitude about it, and I’m the one stressing and obsessing. Kudos to your son for handling it well, and making lemonade. He will be just fine wherever he ends up!</p>