<p>I’m sure d got sick from running herself ragged. </p>
<p>I hope all the roommate issues are working themselves out. What a way to start a year!</p>
<p>@eyemamom - Didn’t see your post when I posted above. I’m sorry to hear that your D is sick! It’s a crummy way to start the year. Hope she’s better soon!</p>
<p>@cakeisgreat, I envy you. :-&
@eyemamon, hope your d feel better soon.</p>
<p>@cakeisgreat, I made that same promise to myself too about not texting or calling. Yesterday, I texted my D to see how her first day of college classes went and I found myself justifying the text to my husband. I shouldn’t have to justify it, but somehow I felt as if I needed to. I know these unwritten rules of letting the kids set the pace of contact are necessary, but I also think, "and how much am I paying for college . . . "</p>
<p>LOL on texting. I’ve been god on not texting our D. Not so much for my wife. My wife was texting our D non stop yesterday evening around dinner time (Pacific) last night (10:30 PM Eastern). Our D was so polite answering her. It got to a point that our D had to say that she had about 50 pages that she needed to read and write an essay.</p>
<p>@AK mom - Congrats on the successful drop off! Sounds as if she’s set and ready to go, which is always comforting for us parents.</p>
<p>I had to laugh @smakl70. Don’t you just love it? I guess no news to share is good news, right?</p>
<p>@2016BarnardMom - Fabulous news on the surgery. One less thing to worry about.</p>
<p>Aargh @eyemamom. We have enough to concern ourselves over without our kiddos getting sick. Glad she had someone to take her to the doctor. I’m surprised more kids don’t get ill due to change in eating habits - usually for the worse - lack of sleep, weather and environmental changes and just being in close contact with so many people. But better sick now than during finals. </p>
<p>Spygirl called me yesterday to wish me a Happy Birthday. (30th if you’re wondering. I’m going backwards now) We chatted briefly but I didn’t bring up the r - word. I’ve learned that if there’s a pressing issue, she will mention it for advice or just to vent. Otherwise, to mention it might just fuel the fire, so I’m just waiting to see how she handles the situation. </p>
<p>It was strange going out to dinner without her last night. Spykid suggested we Skype and have her “sit” at the table with us. But I vetoed that because I didn’t want her to feel homesick. </p>
<p>Happy birthday, Agentninetynine!</p>
<p>So D initiated texting today. She wants me to ship a few more things. She also wrote that she did really well on her first English paper and that she is sick (just a bad cold). Somehow, I always manage to “over text” back - too many additional questions, advice regarding her cold, etc. I need to stop that so she doesn’t stop texting me! </p>
<p>Happy Birthday Agentninetynine!</p>
<p>My S1 got sick a few days after arriving at school freshman year – I think a lot of kids do because they get exposed to a lot of “new” to them sets of germs – that’s my theory anyhow. It’s a good growing-up opportunity when they take care of things themselves, at least. Hope all the sickies are feeling better soon!</p>
<p>Happy birthday @Agentninetynine!</p>
<p>Oh - the idea of illness is terrifying to my daughter, who is a voice performance/music ed major going through auditions and placements right now. Hugs to all whose kids are under the weather. </p>
<p>Well, it was a bit of a rocky first week with emotions all over the place, but D has not only rallied, but seems to be soaring right now. The idea that she gets to do music all day, every day, is just mind-boggling to her. And to do it surrounded by like-minded peers. Last night she auditioned for one the acapella groups on campus - she said there were about a hundred auditioners for only a few spots. there is only one spot for her voice part - soprano. I’ll post when she hears, but it sounds like she’s not expecting to get in this year. </p>
<p>Her suitemates cleared out for the long weekend & I was worried she would feel lonely & abandoned, but she got herself out of the room and into a common area, struck up some conversations, & ended up with a late night TV binge session & midnight fast food run with a group of floor-mates. Not an easy thing for her to do, but it paid off & now she has some new friends.</p>
<p>We are visiting in about two weeks. It was part of the deal of her accepting the FT scholarship & going 3000 miles away that we would visit the first semester. Really looking forward to it, but I suspect now it won’t be “necessary” to her as she thought it would be.</p>
<p>Happy Birthday @Agentninetynine! And @2016BarnardMom - so glad to hear your surgery should be easier this time!</p>
<p>I talked with DD this morning! She texted that she was free for a while if I wanted to chat! So we talked about her meeting yesterday with her advisors and what courses she was signed up for and shopping for. It was so nice to chat for a while! Sounds like she really likes her advisors - one faculty (actually more of a Dean) and one student. She sounded really excited about her various class choices. Apparently they have a really great dorm and floor - most of them keep their doors open so everyone keeps visiting everyone else. Only issue is her roommate has been coming home drunk every night and getting put to bed by others! So totally not DD’s scene! Luckily she’s not getting sick and DD is amazed that roommate doesn’t seem to have a hangover the next morning. She’s decided to give it a week before talking to her. Hopefully the situation will improve once classes start!</p>
<p>But basically she seems to be pretty happy! She was really excited about the classes she went to today (she was texting about books after class). She’s still got some decisions about which ones to stay in but hopefully will figure that all out by this weekend. She’s made some friends and really likes her hallmates and hopefully the roommate will settle down. It was really great to talk with her and then hear more by text later in the day!</p>
<p>Sounds like most of the kids have gotten moved in and are starting to get settled. I know there are a few with September move-in dates - good luck to them!</p>
<p>So sorry to hear of those that are sick (lots of sick ones at DS’ school - combination of allergies for a new climate, over indulging with rush week and school starting, and just plain old flus and colds). And also sorry to hear of roommate issues - especially those that don’t drink having to put up with the ones coming home drunk. I guess as long as they’re not getting sick in the room. ewww!!</p>
<p>DS seems to be adjusting well. The roomies are getting along well. He does some things with them, but others on his own. They seem to have a great group of kids in his honors dorm. One night there was about 20 of them hanging out together and went out exploring the area. I’m planning to go down there in about three weeks and meet up with the roomies’ moms. 
We’ll take the boys out to eat, but I also hope to spend some one-on-one time with my DS. He, like so many other boys, is a very brief texter. And never seems to have much time to skype. There are several clubs DS wants to join, but some meet at the same time so he’ll have to choose which he wants to do more.</p>
<p>@2016BarnardMom - good news about the surgery!! Praying for quick recovery time!!</p>
<p>@GertrudeMcFuzz, that visit might not feel necessary - but knowing it is planned might actually be a big thing for your daughter.</p>
<p>I texted my son a picture of our dog and got a request the next day for another one. Success!</p>
<p>My D (second year) also came down with a fever and bad headache her first day back. I think there might actualy be something going around that she caught on the plane. This kid is never sick. (well hardly ever sick–missed only three days of HS in four years).<br>
To all the first year moms and dads, don’t feel bad about “over texting”. When we (us moms) went to college you needed to use the “payphone” in the lobby to call home. Our kids have I-phones and chit-chat while walking to class or text while in line at the store. Your text, most llikely, isn’t interrupting anything. My D will call when she’s on the stairmaster, board waiting for the bus or watching the laundry finish, or procrasitnating about home work–her way of killing time. Most often it’s me who says “can I call you back?”
Oh, and if you think it gets any easier the second year, think again. Even harder to say good bye after thier first summer back at home. </p>
<p>I’ve only texted DD a couple of times this week, but haven’t heard back. Sigh. She is new to texting since she and I both got our first real phones with texting a week before she left, but I think I could really enjoy it! We did talk last week and she sounded very happy and crazy busy…she has joined the marching band and the chorale, got a job serving desserts at the dining hall next to her dorm, and is taking 17 credits. I’m thrilled at the thought of being able to go to her concerts, worried that she may be overdoing it, trying to remember that she’s an adult now so she needs to figure it out on her own. Tonight is our church’s turn at our local soup kitchen, so maybe I’ll teach myself how to send a picture to her and send one of her dad scrubbing pots .</p>
<p>I have to admit (although I generally bemoan the all-pervasive smartphone culture) that being able to easily send photos in texts has made this transition easier so far. My D has texted us photos and videos of many of her cool/exciting discoveries, like when her bio teacher gave her the keys to the entomology research room, various interesting insects she’s found, etc. It really helps me be able to visualize her there, and I feel really grateful that she’s sharing these new joys. She even called us last night to wish us a happy anniversary! At the same time, she already has a close group of friends and seems very happy, not lonely. Best of both worlds: I feel very fortunate!</p>
<p>For the empty nesters - how are you finding it? It turns out it was pretty anti-climactic. I had something built up so tremendously about how life as I knew it would be over. It really isn’t true. The world didn’t in fact stop. I do text or talk with d quite a bit. She called last night to consult on what meds to take, how to change the toner, and just general chit chat about her classes. I do still feel very involved in her life. Her brother is a different story. </p>
<p>We’ll be down there in 3 weeks for parents weekend so it will be good to lay eyes on her. I don’t think she’s homesick but I’m sure it will be good to have a visit. </p>
<p>@seattle_mom The dog pictures always work!!! </p>
<p>Empty nester here. I agree it’s been anti-climactic so far. But it’s only been a week and I’ve been very busy: I keep wondering when it’s going to hit me. Maybe never? So far I do feel a little more lonely (but as I mentioned previously she’s been good about sharing her joys though text and that has helped) and, as a plus, less frazzled on a daily basis. It is nice not to constantly be keeping track of where she is, whether I need to do anything, whether I need to worry about something. </p>
<p>I’m anticipating that at some point there will be a “what’s my life about now?” moment. Ever since I was in high school, and through college much to my radical-activist friends’ dismay, my main goal in life was to be a mother. So that’s been my main project for 17 years. I’m a little worried that when my workload lightens up a bit and I’m not so busy, this will start to hurt. But maybe not!</p>