<p>Kudos to those creating the happy memories in days before departure. I was (if anything) even more naggy, as I packed for 7 days at the beach, worked full time, took care of new puppy, etc. (in retrospect–what the heck was so hard about all that? Nothing!). So, anyway, poor son took a few more naggy hits.</p>
<p>We did get to enjoy some time at the beach w/extended family (no friends around for competition). Walks on the sand, a few meals together and just hanging on the car rides, picking up last minute items, etc. </p>
<p>Son is an awesome kid. Wondered why I was always pushing and complaining. Trying to learn from it and appreciate each moment w/remaining hub & 7 year old.</p>
<p>Harriet–7 year old did not take it well. Son seemed most brokenhearted to say goodbye to her. She and I were really crying the whole way out of the dorm. She confided that because I told her a few months ago that son would be 18 in college, she deduced that on his 18th b-day in the spring, he’d leave that day and was crying. So…she’s been anticipating (w/sadness) the goodbye for some time</p>
<p>I can’t deny, missypie…moment of departure–quite tough.</p>
<p>Only 5 days left before we leave – and D is actually emerging from her bedroom and wanting to watch movies with us, hang out and talk, and even more amazing, sing and play piano for us (which she has never really liked to do). Clearly, she is also recognizing that those opportunities won’t be there very soon. Not looking forward to the goodbye (this is the last kid out) – but I remember when we sent off the first one, all of the tears (big tears from everyone) were as we were leaving the house. No tears when we left her at the school. It was so busy, and she was clearly so happy, that we just sort of slipped out with a hug and a “see you later.”</p>
<p>IM-- Oh I can only hope that our goodbye is the same way as it was when you sent your first one off. I get tired of maintaining the no tears with all the memories that keep coming up in my head and I am worried that there will be a flood of tears when I drop him off. S is still in his own world of doing “nothing”. Wonder when it will turn around? We have 20 days to go and I hope it happens sooner than later. I have to keep reminding myself that this is part of the process.</p>
<p>S is starting the packing process. He’s a senior this year and currently looking at grad school. It’s easy now for me to send him back every year. He’s actually looking at grad schools that are closer so we may see him more. </p>
<p>Not sure how I’m going to react to D leaving. She can be difficult but also she and I “get” each other. Still 3 weeks or so before D leaves.</p>
<p>hey, S went to target today to shop. He bought one bar of soap, one new toothbrush and some contact solution, socks and underwear (6 of each). Guess he is ready to go! :rolleyes: Nevermind that I already have soap, toothbrush, etc. All he is going to get from me is praise–at least he started…with 16 days to go.</p>
<p>I really value this thread. I have been so weepy lately. I keep telling myself the hot flashes I’ve been getting lately means it’s just my hormones, but even if that were the case, how could I start menopause the same month as I’m trying to deal with the reality that the phase of my life which included having a child at home is also now ending? D is our only, so this is really hard for me. I know we planned her whole life to get her ready for this (independence, a new life, etc.) but while we worked so hard getting her ready, I realize we never addressed getting US ready! Of course, the stress over finding out that her school may not be honoring the roommate requests, and not having the housing/dorm/roommate info while we are almost T minus two weeks to leaving is not helping. Nor is dealing with my mother’s recent health issues, etc. etc. I either need a good therapist or a larger bottle of wine!</p>
<p>Just popping in with virtual hugs for all. We have 14 days and S2 is so busy we’re not bonding much this week. I feel so much empathy for those separated/separating, especially with your first/only. I started weeping with S1 before graduation and didn’t stop until we said goodbye in August two years ago. You are all such wonderful parents–you wouldn’t be so sad if you weren’t. Bu, because of your great parenting, the kids are going to be ok. I thank God every day for email and cell phones.</p>
<p>hugs to all…oh it truly is tough for us dealing with that phase of life shift…at the same time as we are helping our kids move into the next phase of their lives </p>
<p>jolynne, be kind to yourself, being human is part of the process. I can completely identify with that feeling of regret about nagging…last summer my s was “fouling the nest” so well that we argued quite a bit. I felt so bad about it too. this year my d is much more direct about her feelings, be it her excitement, anxiety, sadness. so my response much more, well, weepy. we spent a week at the beach, (minutes from d’s college) and had good bonding time, but some moments of irritability all around. ended the week at the beach with my 3 kids para sailing, seeing them floating in the clouds, huge smiles, waving happily was beautiful. a metaphor for them being launching into the world…</p>
<p>d had a m.d. appt today, found out she needs a medical test to rule out a concern, which is now scheduled for wednesday at hospital. I believe all will be ok, but it exacerbates that sense of emotionality. I tend to be a hopeful person, no worrying at the moment.</p>
<p>took the opportunity to reassure d, we then went Marshall’s shopping, got some cute dorm items—everyone needs a purple furry neckroll pillow, right? and retro clothing items, I swear I had the same peasant top a lifetime ago— then she went off to dinner w friend. home now, she’s packing…being a trooper. We drive to college Saturday…will buy extra tissues</p>
<p>I found myself wandering around Target tonight getting teary eyed as I was looking at various items for D. </p>
<p>Only 2 weeks to go and the emotional roller coaster is gathering speed. It is a comfort to know I am not the only one feeling such strong emotions. I am not looking forward to the 20+ hour drive home after we drop her off. I am thankful that we have 3 more years with S at home. I don’t think he realizes how much he’ll miss her, they have become good friends over the last year and I don’t think we’ll be quite the same for him.</p>
<p>nw—its true that sibling bond is something very special. my 13 yr old leaves in am to visit his uncle/my brother in NY so he won’t be here when we leave with d for college on Saturday. I know he’ll be missing her terribly. </p>
<p>oh and the Target thing…it was my therapy last yr after my s left for college—whenever I felt sad I’d go to Target, wander around, you know like you can only do at Target, and fill a basket to send him as a care package. always worked to make me feel better. feel connected to him.</p>
<p>I just finished a chair quilt for oldest d, and as soon as d who leaves in 2 weeks gives me a color scheme I willl make hers. </p>
<p>After suggesting to my daughter that she needed to go through clothes tonight, she sent me to my room to “sew something”. We are making progress. Only have pants, shorts, shirts, shoes, boots, and coats to sort through. Never mind about under garments, socks, and knickknacks.</p>
<p>Even as I look forward to some calm after the storn, I realize I will be in house that is often silent. No more girl giggles. No more getting ready for parties and dances with all the friends. No more text message clicking sounds. No more going into the bathroom, going, geesh, what a mess.</p>
<p>No more, don’t forget to turn off the straightener. No more asking whqt there is to eat. No more I need gas money. No more, do we have to watch that. No more, yum, best cookies ever. No more, call when you are at the party and let me know when you will be home. No more hurry up dinner is ready. No more have you seen my dark jeans. No more this milk is old. No more tripping over wayward shoes. No more dirty towels on the floor.</p>
<p>I am so happy for her, but I think the silence will get to me. When she was away for a week, I was busy helping her get stuff. But when we come back, well all that will be done.</p>
<p>Guess that’s when the busy work of putting together care packages will begin.</p>
<p>I also need to remember that my husband will be losing his little girl. While he looks all tough and hadnling it, I know inside, he is sad. I am putting together a little care package for him, some romantic things, a bottle of champagne, tickets to a baseball game, stuff to start the next phase of our lives. </p>
<p>I never imagined myself as a person who would feel so emotional about this. I have always joked that as the third child in my own family my parents slowed the car down and let me jump out when I went to college. Just kidding of course. Now I am having a lot of moments thinking about what home will be like with D gone. Even with S still there (and he admits he is going to miss his sister), it will be so quiet. On the other hand, I have always encouraged my kids to follow their dreams and this is it.</p>
<p>I love reading all of the posts here. I can relate to you all and you say a lot of it better than I can. Hugs to all.</p>
<p>Oh my gosh…I can so relate to the Target wandering!!! We really do lead parallel lives. I search the cards section and find ones to send for encouragement or thinking of you…sent two already for D2. I also pick up little care package trinkets to mail. Found a nice wooden sign to go above her door. I scrapped a page once of her running and titled it “Chase your Dreams” and that is what the sign says!</p>
<p>D2 called last night. She wanted to do laundry but the washing machines are run by swiping student ID and the computer system wasn’t working. Told her to try another building but haven’t heard back yet. Sounds like she is settling in. Whew!</p>
<p>I’ve been weepy already too. Starting to miss things I never thought I would.</p>
<p>Eggson plays guitar late into the night… Led Zeppelin, Jethro Tull, Cream… I love his retro bent, but it is not music to sleep by. Last night, it dawned on me that it will be so quiet in the house next week. Suddenly I was so sad. </p>
<p>DH will be traveling next week (after we drop off S) and most of September. I’ve got to get a life. After I swing by Target, of course.</p>
<p>NM–welcome back! So glad to hear D is settling in. It’s great to hear from you and some of the other early departures (JerseyShoreMom, Jolynne Smith). I know nothing will really prepare me for the actual drop off, but it helps to read others’ experiences. </p>
<p>One week from today we will be in the car heading south. Things are crazy at H’s office, so he is now flying down to meet us instead of making the car ride. 16 y.o. S is begging to be left behind, as school starts for him just 4 days after we get back. Summer always flies by, but this year is positively super sonic!</p>
<p>I totally relate to the late-night guitar playing. I will miss that so much, but i’ve always k own I would. What I’m only realizing now is that I’ll actually miss the bone-jarring, headache-inducing, window-rattling drumming practice, too.</p>
<p>At least until the 7 yo takes up the drums.</p>
<p>Chintzy, our plan all along has been similar to yours because H didn’t want to take more time off from work. D and I leave on Monday breaking the 8 hour trip up because neither one of us wanted to really rush and we wanted some extra time when we get there. I get to do orientation and say goodbye on my own mid day Thursday. DH flies in Thursday evening. I’m sure I’m going to be a mess on Thursday afternoon. Hoping to find a few seconds for DH to see D on Friday morning before we leave town. We’re then driving to NC for a few days of relaxing and then home on Sunday.</p>
<p>It will be very quiet in this house. I will be going back the following week on Wednesdays to help out at the HS but need to find some other stuff to keep me busy.</p>
<p>Purchased a frame and enlarged a family photo from last Christmas for D. Will leave behind with her as a gift along with a pretty earring and necklace set and a card. H definitely liked the idea of a drop off gift.</p>
<p>Lindtz, know you’re not worrying, but I’m going to tuck in an extra prayer for your d’s med test tomorrow… Ilovetoquilt: wah, your care pkg for your husband made me tear up! So nice of you!!!</p>
that we argued quite a bit. I felt so bad about it too. this year my d is much more direct about her feelings, be it her excitement, anxiety, sadness. so my response much more, well, weepy. 
we spent a week at the beach, (minutes from d’s college) and had good bonding time, but some moments of irritability all around. ended the week at the beach with my 3 kids para sailing, seeing them floating in the clouds, huge smiles, waving happily was beautiful. a metaphor for them being launching into the world…</p>