<p>@Maryjay60 Thanks for providing a more upbeat way to look at it. I will try to use that to get him to see the situation more positively, though he has developed some resistance over the years to my attempts to put a positive spin on unfortunate events. But here I can use an actual anecdote about a positive experience in a similar setting, so maybe I can avoid the usual sarcasm that I get in reply.</p>
<p>Home from successful launch! My first night as a graduate mom I guess. At least the cat was happy to see me.</p>
<p>Launch successful! I didn’t cry…until I got home…then I went into the bathroom and sobbed. But she seems good.</p>
<p>@tpcrd66 – We were able to add our son’s laptop (new Macbook Pro) onto our homeowners policy, covered for theft, accidental breakage, etc. with NO deductible for a grand total of $3/year. We’re with Ameriprise Insurance, through Costco. </p>
<p>@2016barnardmom Seems life is throwing you some curve balls. Hope your surgery and recovery go well and that your son continues to settle in nicely at Michigan.</p>
<p>I feel like I haven’t been on in ages after being so obsessive for so long! We took a road trip for a reunion with our college friends over the weekend as it was on the way to RIT. Many times we commented to the kids, ‘See, this is what college is like.’ Staying up late hanging out, having philosophical, sometimes pointless but always fun discussions. We hope he too forms some lifelong friendships.</p>
<p>Then, Tuesday we successfully fledged CrowSon. We just got back from two-day family orientation at midnight last night so I’m still groggy and processing. RIT does a great job with move-in and orientation for both families and students, though it is a bit overwhelming for introverts. My S seems to be doing great, though to my delight he chose to invite us for the optional family dinner last night in the main cafeteria. At first I thought he might be lonely but really he just wanted to share his excitement, especially with his brother. His roommate is really nice tho they don’t have a huge amount in common and they are both totally OK with that for now. The roommate is much more social and that might be a good thing. My S says the trick of keeping the door propped open works – people stop by all the time and are very friendly. We met his advisor and she is super knowledgeable.</p>
<p>I thought I might seek others out from the CC and FB communities, but when the time came I was laser focused on my family. Looking forward to a day off resting – which I will need as my new job is finally official and starts in two weeks. So much change!</p>
<p>Congrats to all of you who have had successful launches, and best of luck to those still waiting!</p>
<p>So how much are you staying in contact with your kids? During sorority rush d was texting me a lot - her daily schedule, who she liked, how she was ranking. It was fun but stressful for her. Then the first few days she was texting me throughout the day - I can’t find the laundry room, how do I find the code for the math class and a lot of chit chat. I was getting a little addicted. Then hubby told me I was going to have to cut down, but I figured when she was ready to be a bit more independent she’d slow down. I mean she is 12 hours away, she is independent. Sure enough after she went to each class once and got the basics figured out she didn’t text me yesterday. She did send a picture of the gym and racquetball court to hubby. </p>
<p>@eyemamom My S13 texted a lot during the first few weeks. Once he got more comfortable in his new setting, the frequency decreased…which is a good thing. He got in the habit of calling me once a week while walking to the library or to class…I love those calls! We continue to text a few times a week…but being the good big brother that he is, he always texts his little sister at bedtime to say goodnight…that’s their thing.</p>
<p>Sounds like your D is doing well!</p>
<p>I feel deficient reading @eyemamon and @Felicita’s posts above. DS14 has not texted me once since we dropped him off last Sunday. We talked on the phone only one time and he sounded great but did not provide a lot of details to let me live through him. I wish he would call and text home like your kids. I tell myself that the orientation schedule must have kept him too busy to call/text. I also know that he is still alive based on the credit card activities. </p>
<p>I have been texting my daughter at night, very briefly: “you good?” “busy day?” And she texts back “yah!” So I know she’s alive, lol!</p>
<p>I texted S2 this morning to ask him where he was in the big class photo on the school’s website. I’ve yet to hear back from him …
ETA: He just texted me to tell me where he was. </p>
<p>@Bestfriendsgirl, where is the picture on the website?</p>
<p>No news, good news. Many kids get in touch only when they’re upset.</p>
<p>Lol, when I emailed my son 3 times yesterday, he wrote back something to the effect that I seem to be having trouble separating from him!!! He said he loves me but will not be communicating much in order to help me with my adjustment. :)</p>
<p>BTW, he is totally comfortable now, and is absolutely loving being captain of his own ship.</p>
<p>@4beardolls Don’t feel deficient!! My s13 was always a bit of a homebody so he probably communicates more that most. Now…S15 is a whole different story. We’ve lived our lives with him on a need to know basis. He’s very quiet and not one to share his daily activities with us very often…unless we need to know. Lol</p>
<p>You’ll develop a routine that is your new normal for each kid. </p>
<p>@jrmama496 - <a href=“http://www.marshall.edu”>www.marshall.edu</a></p>
<p>DS has texted me at least once a day, and has called three times (once for laundry advice). He emails or texts with DH about once a day also. He was texting back and forth with his sister last night and I know they’ve face timed at least once. Our texting pattern is holding pretty true to what it was before he left so it will be interesting to see if that changes once classes start on Monday.</p>
<p>I did not hear much from my son the first few days on campus, but he is communicating a little more now. Called me the other night to say hello and find out what was happening. He was eating cereal, while one roommate was working, another was napping and the third was doing his laundry. He likes all his teammates, which is a good thing. He thought his day of classes was good, but he is less than enthusiastic about the honors program. He says there just are not enough STEM classes offered that would be of interest. Well, I cannot argue with him. What he needs to do is talk to an adviser and voice his concerns. Maybe a change will be made?</p>
<p>@crowlady I think I saw you at the morning coffee thing for parents, but you were happily chatting with someone and the organizers were encouraging us to move on to the next thing. I was very tired that morning, and I had a fairly long drive on my own. It was especially interesting since H had texted me that morning that S17 had stepped on a nail and might need a dr. visit. We weren’t sure of his tetanus booster status, and they were flying home from Montana that day. </p>
<p>Then they got delayed in Chicago. I swear I stopped at half of the eastbound rest stops on the Thruway to either answer a text or make a call. Long story short, tetanus status was good, no doctor visit needed, and despite the delay we were all home and exhausted but happy on Wednesday night. It sure kept me from being sad about leaving D behind at RIT. </p>
<p>A long weekend trip is up next for DS17, H and I. We need it. I’ve heard just enough from D at RIT to know she’s busy and happy. Onward! </p>
<p>D moved in yesterday. She already met and had visited with her roommate so the move-in and room decoration went well They have 4 days of oriwntation including today with parents. The parents had a picnic with the kids at 6 this evening and goodbye’s had to be completed by 7 as the kids had another orientation function at 7. So DD is launched. We drove halfway home and have just about 3 hours to go in the morning. The biggest surprise in all this is that DD and her roommate are the only double on their dorm floor. All the other rooms (all the same size) are forced triples. We don’t know why but the girls did request each other but that is the only thing we can think of that could have have caused them to be doubled instead of tripled. We will be home around noon tomorrow and I have to pack up DS 2011 and get him to school on Saturday! Two college delivery trips to the east coast in a week is enough!!! Fortunately, he is a senior and this is the last year for his trip to school and the only year with two launches.</p>
<p>DS is adjusting just fine! We’ve been texting … little things as I remember to ask him. Discussing books, asking what he’s up to, he texted me to find out the paint color of the wall for a friend (the FB group has the answers to EVERYTHING so he knew I could find out). </p>
<p>We had planned to get together with lots of FB/CC parents at move in, but by the time we got down there and moved in, everyone was exhausted. We did have dinner with the roomies and their parents. That was nice getting to visit with them. The weather down there is such that it can be blue sky one minute and huge rain shower the next. Needless to say, the rain shower came while we were eating - cars three blocks away and no umbrellas! We all ran different directions and were drenched by the time we got to where we were going!!</p>
<p>Classes started Wednesday and he is adjusting to that just fine. Glad he has his bike since it seems that his classes are on opposite corners of the campus from each other and from his dorm! </p>
<p>@2016BarnardMom - so sorry to hear that you are going to have to have surgery again. Praying for you!</p>
<p>@calla - I laughed at your son telling you that he’s going to wean you for your own good! So glad he’s doing better!</p>