Yes, drop off of D was very hard for my daughter who is a sophomore in high school still. And it wasn’t easy for me either, but the tears have stopped all around and I’m really excited for my D. She has been in touch with me so that has made it easier. I’d be freaking out if there was no communication.
We moved our S in to the dorm yesterday. His roommate and his parents had been there since Saturday organizing the copious amounts of stuff they brought, which made us look like hands-off minimalists! S was clear that he did not want us hovering/helping, so our deal was that as soon as the packing containers we were taking with us were emptied, we would get out of his way. We did help him loft the bed (a 3-person job), and D’20 and I put the bedding on because we knew he’d never do it himself…those navy sheets will be on there when we move him out in May, I guarantee, because the bed is too high to change them easily. 
We saw him join some friends at the popsicle social as we were leaving the parking lot, and then there was a dorm meeting at 9:00. I think he planned to get a group together for dinner at some point. No word from him last night – I’m trying to wait for him text/e-mail/call first. It really hit me when we pulled in the driveway at home late last night and his car wasn’t there. 
“Piggy backing on what @mtrosemom says above; I do think its hard(er?) on the younger siblings to see each brother/sister parade out the door before them. Their relationships change dramatically after each leaves the nest.”
My brother couldn’t wait to move into my room. Didn’t even care that it had pink rosebud wallpaper or that the shower didn’t work - he got his own room for the first time. Yep, he was really broken up about it.
^ HA! generational differences. Sounds like he had other siblings after you left, to occupy his time.
Our kids always had their own rooms and bathrooms. Not the norm, I know. But closer today than what it was 30 (or, ahem, 40) years ago…
So great to hear about your S, @shellz! That’s awesome.
So… day after tomorrow I’m going to the Honors College induction ceremony for the incoming Honors students. Doesn’t say anything about attire. Any thoughts on what would be best to wear? The suit? Or is that overboard? Maybe just a nice shirt and dress pants and shoes? I feel like I should be dressed a little better than just a t-shirt and jeans, but I don’t know since it doesn’t say.
@albert69, you are projecting an image or a “personal brand.” Your first impression will have a lasting impact on how people remember you and the biases/prejudices/attributes they attach to you. Think of someone meeting you for the first time. What presentation of yourself will project the most authentic image of who you are? What will best project your personality and attract like-minded students to approach you? That is what you should wear.
tomorrow, start the drive east. Bringing the last kiddo to college. Each one different, each goodbye the same. Study hard, have fun, grow a little or a lot, explore, be all you can be. Very exciting. And for us - empty nest - also pretty exciting.
@ItsJustSchool But I really don’t think I should go wearing pajamas… jk. I think the suit is probably too much, just the nice shirt and pants should work.
We moved D2 in last week. Other than the heat/humidity, everything went smoothly. Lots of student volunteers to help unload the vehicles, and it only took us 2 trips (with 2 carts) to get everything up to her room. Unpacking and organizing was quite a chore though. #:-S
She’s settling in and finding her way around campus, and enjoying her K Week activities. She loves the freshly prepared pasta bar in the Dining Hall. :x Classes start next Monday.
We’ll be heading down to Lexington for Family Weekend during the first weekend in October. Horse racing at Keeneland, football game, and more than enough other activities to keep us occupied. We’ll stop in Cincy for a day or two to visit D1 at grad school on the way down as well. Geographic synchronicity is a beautiful thing!! :-c
DS flew off to Philly yesterday. Grandparents and young aunt are moving him in this morning. I’m getting lots of photos so it’s almost as good as being there and I don’t have to carry stuff! Nice photo of his granddad, who will be turning 94 this week, in his dorm room. I’m sad not to be there but I guess that’s one of the costs of sending a kid across country. I will get to visit in October plus he’ll be home for fall break. That’s what I keep saying: He’ll be home in 7 weeks. He’ll be home in 7 weeks.
First day of classes!
Make sure that they have all of their prescriptions up to date…My DD texted the day after we left that she ran out of one. We talked her through getting it herself.
and contact lenses are enough!
I got back from my first rocket club meeting! It was AWESOME! I’m going to have so much fun with that, I know it, and there’s definitely a lot of room for real experience resume fodder.
This ‘almost empty nest’ thing is hitting me hard! Dropped DD at Hollins on Monday and she’s off camping until Friday so no phone calls. On Saturday, our son drove himself off to Sewanee where he will be a sophomore, and we have only one child at home now. My house is so quiet! This was much harder than last year when I simply dropped one at college.
Moved my D in on Monday. I am missing her a lot! :((
Group hug to everyone missing their kids right now.
It’s been a week already since we took S’15 to college. At the dorm he made me sit and not do or say anything while he unpacked. Wouldn’t let me measure for the right size rug or anything., At one point he hid my tape measure. He said he will take care of getting a rug with the roommates. We met two of the roommates, and they seemed nice. We left for home with empty containers that afternoon, after taking him to lunch. It was a quiet drive. The next morning he called to say ‘hello’ as he was taking a morning stroll on a very deserted campus I think he knew that would make me happy. Since then,only a text to mail a pair of shoes.
Don’t forget to notify your car insurance carrier that your student is at college…you may save money!
pity party on
I really enjoyed touching base with my kid at night, hearing about her day. Now she’s in the dorm, classes have begun - and I got cut off, cold turkey. A brief text here or there is not the same. I hate this abrupt transition - for me.
pity party over
Wow, I can’t believe the stories about your kids stopping most contact with you. I guess I’m unusually close to my family - I send them messages throughout the day and Skype most evenings. My mom would be convinced someone murdered me if she didn’t hear from me at all during the day.