I have taken the lead in all of the college tours, administrative stuff, etc, but my husband is definitely having it hit harder. We were discussing our Arizona trip and I pointed out that the same time frame that is between our AZ trip this winter and now is the time frame between now and dropping her off at college, and it wasn’t received well. LOL.
Orientation is in a month, and all four of us will go down - I want D28 to just see where her sister will be, and she won’t join us for move-in - but I plan on sending my husband to the parent track and D28 and I will explore the campus and area while they do orientation, I have probably heard most of it before from the various visits and know most of it from my own career, so it will be good for him to hear it all from someone NOT me. 
Totally understand! That’s where my head was about a week before graduation.
Both D24 and her brother who is a rising college senior, have their own checking accounts with a debit card (for everyday use) that are directly linked to my account so I can readily transfer funds. Both are also authorized users on one of my credit cards (for emergency use only and to help them build credit).
Our senior has been using one of our credit cards for a couple of years now. We added them as an Authorized User to that card and another card a few years ago to get them a jump start on a good credit rating. Both cards have long and good payment histories (decades) but they only have access to the one they use.
We avoid debit cards as they do not have the same protections as credit cards.
At some point in the near future, they will need to apply for their own card.
I strong recommend placing a credit freeze with the three major credit bureaus for everyone, minors included. There have been so many data breaches, even k-12 school districts, in the past ten years. Everyone’s SS number and other information is easy to get now.
Us too. Tonight’s party is for parents and seniors. Tomorrow night’s includes guests. Commencement Sunday morning with a luncheon. We’ll give DS his graduation gift before tonight’s party when it is just us. It’s hard to wrap my head around this. Last night out of blue I got an email from a group of moms that I know from an online line support group, pregnancy after a loss, we were sharing how our hard gotten babies have grown. Because I’m not on Facebook, I haven’t kept with them for many years. It’s so bittersweet. I’m so immensely proud of my boy and can’t wait to see what he does but I also, really miss my little guy. Hopefully, he’ll agree to some last cuddles while watching GBBS this summer like we use to.
I’m already looking forward to Thanksgiving when D24 and I will binge the new season of GBBS. Watching that show together (sometimes with cake) has been something we’ve done for much of her high school years 
D24’s younger sister and I were just talking about this the other day. I can hear myself saying all the things: “graduation…heading off August 21…Excited for her” but I have not internalized them yet at all. D27 said it has not hit her either. The three of us a taking a quick girl’s weekend today and maybe then it will sink in.
Last day of school today. S24’s team became league champions yesterday and are currently #3 in the state. State Tourneys start next week. He is potentially up for MVP of the league. Keeping fingers and toes crossed.
Found out last Thursday evening that D24 was accepted off a waitlist at a dream school. Saturday was dedicated to prom activities We studied the financial aid offer and discussed logistics as a family on Sunday, then she accepted the offer online and sent an email cancelling registation at the wonderful university she had originally planned to attend. Monday and Tuesday were calls to FinAid office, setting up email and access, and form-filling. Wednesday was graduation (perfect weather!). Yesterday she had lunch with her alumni interviewer who kindly introduced her to two students at her dream school. After lunch, she attended a graduation party. It’s been a whirlwind. Hoping to breathe and let it all sink in this weekend!
Great advice. I’ll make sure he does that.
I am feeling the same and it has been hard to process all the changes happening so fast. I think his graduation in two weeks is when things start to feel more real. The next few months will be an adjustment period for me along with S24.
Went to 8-12th grade awards ceremony at school this morning. Learned that D24 got 12th grade Student of the Year award! Didn’t expect that! Very nice surprise.
It’s the beginning of the senior activities for us here. Another month to go for graduation. Yesterday was senior awards night and S24 took home a bunch of academic honors. DH and I were happy S24 was recognized in some form or the other for all the different activities he was involved in. He was most thrilled about an old timey metal table clock that he got as one of the awards…
. It was so lovely to see all those kids we have known since K walk up to receive their honors. Feels just like yesterday we were at K drop off…
Just wrapped up my graduation, it hasn’t set in yet that I’ve closed a chapter of my life. Probably will set in tomorrow!
Congrats to all the other families with their graduates!!!
The elementary school my son went to invited all the graduating seniors to walk through the halls wearing their caps and gowns. The FB page has a photo of my son hugging his kindergarten teacher and she is crying! Made me cry, too. She was such an amazing influence and he only vaguely remembers.
So following the advice here we are now fully booked for both move-in and parents & family weekend. I am beginning to realize we are going to need to pace ourselves on seeing things in St Louis with D30, because she is already beginning to ask some pointed questions about why we seem to be dragging her there every few months.
Meanwhile S24 is off for the long weekend with the Girlfriend and her family. Can’t blame him but that move-in date seems to be accelerating towards us . . . .
In our experience with kids 3 years apart in age, younger kid was willing to be dragged for 2 ish years. Then decided to stay home for most events at her sister’s college. Even this weekend at College ultimate frisbee championships halfway across the country, younger kid decided to stay home. Admittedly she’s now 18 and about to graduate, so ymmv. But just not willing to be shlepped along anymore 
It is a little challenging with ours 5.5 years apart, but on the other hand for just a weekend? I can see her staying home in a year or two.
We are taking the younger to the one day orientation next month, but leaving her home (sleepover at friend’s house) for move-in. We will likely need the room in the car and might be a crowd to bring her. While my D24 and I have been to the campus 3 times now, the orientation will be the first visit for my husband and younger daughter!
Oh wow which school(s) do your kids play for? My son is going out for MagnUM next year for sure.