Parents of the HS Class of 2014

Parents of HS Class of 20xx
13881

<p>Greetings from a home with a few fewer items now that two boys have left!</p>

<p>Took the older son to Charlottesville yesterday afternoon so we could complete his apartment move-in, although he did leave a few items here that he will need, so I plan to visit next weekend. He was a pure joy to have home for several days. Did the laundry for me. Cleaned. Built some furniture. So I’ll miss the help that he provided, since my husband is traveling. </p>

<p>Meanwhile, got a call from the younger son. He wanted to do his laundry, but thought his card had no money on it. Well, that was not true. It has plenty of coin on it, but it had not been activated – that starts today. No problem, though. He found a snack machine and converted some dollars into quarters so he could do the laundry! Then, I had to telephone him later in the day, because I was having some issues with our TV. He told me how to reset everything, that things were fine and he was happy. Hopefully, we’ll talk a little later, as he needed me to order some additional running t-shirts and shorts for him. </p>

<p>Meanwhile, the clean out and up of his room continues. I do not think the boy understands how to dust anything! Or vacuum! Hopefully, he learns while in college. The trash guys will love me this week. Boy, did that kid have things to toss out.Wait until he sees how much walk room he will have!</p>

13882

<p>Is anybody else finding it strange that the college/university forums are filling up with threads about kids who are thinking about applying for next year rather than the kids/parents who are starting this fall? It’s their time now!</p>

13883

<p>The next two days around Headquarters is going to prove interesting. Our plan was for Spygirl and I to drive her car to college and then Max & Spykid were to fly down a few days later and provide the muscle (no elevator in the dorm) and attend the family orientation. It looks as though Max may have to go on a mission, which is throwing the whole plan out the window. </p>

<p>Spykid is uncomfortable flying by himself, so this means we need a seat in the back of the car for him. We are taking a CR-V which is going to be a challenge. I have visions of the Beverly Hillbillies truck. Spygirl has been sorting, cleaning and “organizing” for a week now. Yesterday I thought I’d take a peek at what she’s accomplished. Let’s just say organization is not her strongest suit. The BF and I just shook our heads and laughed. We may have to repack if it’s all going to fit.</p>

<p>@eyemamom - That made me lol! I think we’re all weird! And does getting a bid mean your daughter is in?Congrats, if that’s the case.</p>

13884

<p>Hello ,
I am supposed to be unplugged but I still have my phone on - will shut it off later today ! My DH will keep his on . In years past, I looked forward to being unplugged but this year with the boy not with me, it seems different …
I wanted to let everyone now how things went with our move in…,</p>

<p>We packed up our small SUV on Friday- had to really work at getting everything in - we also were packing for a weeks vacation and we have our large Labradoodle with us! My husband is a master packer -He somehow managed to get everything in…we were really slow moving and didn’t leave until 2-2:30 ish -
S didn’t get up until almost noon! I think he was really stressed and was trying not to show it-I finally had to start pushing him to motivate or we would still be there lol- About 1pm he started going around the house collecting things he wanted to bring books,poster -mostly small items - finally I said we can mail you anything you forget …</p>

<p>51/2 hours later ! We arrive in Burlington-Traffic! …we stayed in an AirBnB -it was actually the basement of a beautiful home but it was tastefully done and very spacious. Plenty of room and the host were so nice and allowed us to bring our dog! I I’ll stay there again-only about a couple of miles from UVM. They also offer to make authentic Chinese food dinners but we arrived to late to arrange. DH and I went out for a late dinner in Burlington -S opted to stay in and we brought him take out. It is not what I had envisioned but I know he needs downtime …I had hope to get an early start and have fun in Burlington before his launch …but it all worked out …,</p>

<p>Yesterday, the drop of for the Trek 5 nt backpacking program went fairy smooth. Drop off was between 7-9 am and I insisted we get there close to 7 to have time to get him through the backpack “review” and on to drop off his stuff in his room . The one thing we did not bring ( but thought we had) was a bowl.
We went through the process fairly quickly and even had time time to make his bed! We had to go into Burlington and get him a plastic bowl for $8 ! </p>

<p>While we were at the dorm - the girl across the way was moving in ! OMG - you would not believe the stuff she had ! WOW - the Dad was in the process off raising her bed and the Mom was putting together a shelving unit . My S had a very large suitcase ., a storage bin with rollers for under the bed and a large box !-That was it… 2 trips to the car- We didn’t bother to unpack because we will go back on Thursday and help him but really what is there to do? He has one of the smaller rooms so he will have to raise his bed and probably get some plastic bins for some of his clothes - he only has 3 small draws and a small closet. </p>

<p>At 10 am - that had a welcome speech and they introduced all the guides - it was very organized - they even had a list of the trails that each group was doing. Other treks included biking, canoeing and kayaking -then S went off to his group - He seems happy …,. </p>

<p>DH had to bring work and planned to use S’s laptop but forgot to get the password - so after packing up our stuff we headed back to UVM to see if he had left… Luckily -S was still there - his group was getting ready to head out - my H found him -S seemed happy - The group banner was attached to his pack ! I am glad we had to go back because H got to see that S was happy and content ( or at least appeared that way…) His group will be hiking the Long Trail in Vermont.</p>

<p>It rained here yesterday late afternoon and through the night. Hopefully, they made it to camp before the heavy rain. They are hiking hut to hut …</p>

<p>Going unplugged - be back on touch next Thursday…oh one last thing -we arrived on campus -S looks out the window and says -I meant to bring my bike…that we cannot mail - he’ll have to wait until October to get it when we return for parents weekend …</p>

13885

<p>@eyemamom - Congrats and Panhellenic love to your D! Chi Omega is a strong sorority nationally and I know she’ll have a great experience!</p>

13886

<p>Launch complete. Sitting on the plane right now waiting to pull away from the gate. I can’t believe I’m on this plane and he’s not with me. This is really going to be tough. I know he’s excited and happy to be there but I know he’s scared too. This too shall pass. I keep telling myself that.</p>

13887

<p>Several of S2’s friends left yesterday and I was thinking of them last night, spending their first night in their dorm rooms. It is tough, @jrmama496. I never quite got used to S1 being away and am glad he is back with us for at least a few months. </p>

13888

<p>Hang in there, @jrmama496 . I really found the anticipation of BarnardGirl being away was worse than the reality. She stays in close contact and most of the time, I feel like I know what’s going on with her. </p>

13889

<p>Well, my stay at Case didn’t go exactly as planned. Had a good Saturday with DS, but then DH wrenched his back and had to stay immobile flat on his back. This meant an awful lot of juggling logistics with DD who had a full slate of commitments over the weekend and this week. Plus DS was completely booked on Sunday with team practice and meetings, helping with move-in, and orientation events so I would have only seen him again on Monday at lunch. So I drove home on Sunday.</p>

<p>But I’m still glad I got to go on Saturday. I saw his dorm, saw how happy and well-adapted he was and met some of his new friends. </p>

<p>And as @2016BarnardMom‌ said, they stay in close contact so I still feel a part of his life. In fact, I got a text from him at 7:30 this morning!</p>

13890

<p>Hi all! I am late to post about launching, because I got back in town last Monday morning around 1:00 am and went back to my own school (I’m a teacher) at 7:00 am. Of course, I had nothing done for my own school year, since DS was a procrastinator deluxe and took all my energy right before we headed to his school.</p>

<p>First of all, @jrmama496 and @12dandelion, I am so sorry for your losses. This is such a stressful time anyway and hopefully you will have time to reflect on the passing of these special people and remember the good times.</p>

<p>And @calla1, I am so glad your follow-up report is positive! I really hope all these young people find their college years to be a good experience. Besides the educational aspect, it is good to have the chance to be on one’s own while there is still a safety net. So glad the coping strategies are working!</p>

<p>Our own launching of our son couldn’t have been smoother! We had to take him to campus by August 6, because he was attending a camp for new students. It was a voluntary experience, but included spirit activities (cheers, school history), friendship activities, leadership activities and a service project. Unfortunately, there was no move-in before that, so DH and I were waiting around to move him in on the 8th when he returned. On a whim, we asked if we could put some stuff in his room rather than have a full van in a hotel parking lot for a few days. The university couldn’t OFFICIALLY approve, but suggested we talk to the RAs of DS’s dorm. They couldn’t have been nicer: they let us into his room and even carried most of his stuff up their themselves! They went out of their way to be available, even though they had a full training schedule! That made our wait so much more relaxed, because we weren’t worried about a car break-in.</p>

<p>On the actual move-in day, we drove up with the small bit of remaining items and, once again, volunteers unloaded it all and took it right to his room. We didn’t have to lift a finger! It was so pleasant and relaxed - no fighting at all. We were able to have dinner with two of his three suitemates and their families, do some last minute shopping and attend church and brunch before we left him. While we were running errands around town, he kept running into people he met at camp, so it seemed like home already!</p>

<p>This past week, DS participated in a week long honors service project. His group helped beautify and renovate an older, impoverished elementary school. They worked hard all day and had seminars and fun activities in the evening. During a scavenger hunt, he went right up to the university president’s residence door and knocked to get “the selfie with the president.” She answered her own door and came out and had a fun time with the kids. He also got to eat dinner with a dean of the honors college. </p>

<p>It has been a great 10 or so days so far - we will see if it is as “fulfilling” once the REAL classes start this week!! </p>

<p>Best of luck on all the future launchings! I am reading with great interest!</p>

13891

<p>So apparently I get to spend part of the first year of empty nesting recovering from surgery. Colonoscopy results weren’t so good and another bowel resection will be necessary. I don’t know when. Now that I’ll be living alone, I will need to find someone who can stay with me for a week or two because I won’t be able to stay alone. <em>sigh</em> I’m discouraged. </p>

13892

<p>2016BarnardMom, so sorry! Hope it is a successful surgery that relieves your symptoms forever.</p>

13893

<p>@2016BarnardMom‌ I’m sorry that you didn’t get the results back that you had hoped for. Hugs to you. </p>

13894

<p>@2016barnardmom I am so sorry you are dealing with this! Paying for a good friend to stay with you while you recover. </p>

13895

<p>@2016barnardmom - i’m so sorry to hear this, if you didn’t live so far I’d come hang with you! </p>

<p>And having d gone is much easier than my son. She texts and calls a lot, he pretty much went into some kind of cia program.</p>

13896

<p>@2016barnardmom - I’m so very sorry to hear this! I’m praying for peace and healing for you, and for a good friend to come alongside you (and for you to have the courage to ask!)</p>

13897

<p>Oh Barnard Mom, sorry to hear that. My niece has had a lot of similar issues since she was 12 years old. She is 24 now. Sending hugs!!</p>

13898

<p>@2016BarnardMom‌ - holding positive thoughts for your recovery.</p>

<p>S is seeing several good friends leave this week. He hangs around til Sept. 14th. </p>

<p>S11 just got a job offer from a Fortune 500 company. He has til October to decide if he wants to live cross country or try to find a job here in California. I can’t believe we moved him to college 3 years ago and he is now fielding job offers.</p>

13899

<p>ugh @2016BarnardMom‌ so sorry to hear that you have to have more surgery :(</p>

<p>My S11 also got a job offer from the company he interned for this past summer. He doesn’t think he wants it (looking to be less of a cog in the machine by finding a smaller company) but I don’t know how long he has to decide. </p>

13900

<p>@2016BarnardMom‌ - I’m so sorry you need surgery! You have been so strong and have accomplished so much that I know you’ll get through this. I’m praying for your speedy recovery and a good friend to stay with you as well.</p>

<p>@MaryJay60 - I hope our launch goes as smoothly as yours. The service project sounds amazing! </p>

<p>I am almost over-the-edge (haha) with everything going on this week. Work is insanely busy and D and I aren’t close to ready. She is seriously underestimating the time involved in packing (and the time it will take her to select clothes and shoes to pack). I guess it will come together one way or another. Or, I’ll be shipping a bunch of stuff next week! Off to paint a bookcase for D’s room and wash some sheets… </p>