<p>We’ve all heard of “senioritis”. My youngest child, a HS senior, is avoiding that, but I think I have “seniorparentitis”. Is it just me? I’m much less interested in volunteering, supporting the fundraisers, etc. this year. I planned to skip the annual track parents’ meeting a few weeks ago - I’ve heard it all several times before - but my D insisted that I go because it’s supposedly “mandatory”. (No one took attendance.) </p>
<p>So she’s sticking to the program, and I’m turning into a slacker mom. I don’t know why I feel like this - I’m usually a fairly involved parent. Maybe part of it’s burnout from the ongoing college application and financial aid circus.</p>
<p>And this Fall, I guess I’ll be dealing with Empty Nester Syndrome instead…</p>
<p>You’re cutting ties to the school and hs parent activities because you’re ready to move on and leave it behind. Plus you’re burned out, exhausted, ready to let new volunteers pick up the baton and run with it.</p>
<p>The other night at the Jazz Concert son’s ensemble played second on the bill, there were about five other groups after his. H and I guiltily got up and snuck out after son’s group had played, only to be met in the lobby by 3 other sets of senior parents all sneaking out as well. What can we say, we’re seniors too!</p>
<p>This seems reasonable to me. I’ll bet many parents feel the same even if they don’t admit it, especially if they’re involved only because of their own kids (as opposed to general civic-mindedness). I wouldn’t feel guilty if I were you.</p>
<p>I’m not exactly burned out on high school, but I am glad my kids are seven years apart, so I have a few years to rekindle my enthusiasm before my daughter enters high school. Eight years in a row would be rough. Having multiple kids in high school at the same time? That I don’t think I could handle. Kudos and sympathy to those of you who do.</p>
<p>My youngest is now college freshman. I was guilty of seniorparentitis beginning this time of his junior year. I was so happy to tell all I had senioritis worse than my senior all last year. It is a good sign that you have accepted your kids are about to leave, and are ready for the next step, the empty nest. Even that has been enjoyable this year. </p>
<p>I miss my kids, but it is such a wonderful time in THEIR lives. I am enjoying hearing about it from afar.</p>
<p>Now that my S has gotten his first acceptance, I feel as if I can relax. </p>
<p>He, on the other hand, not only relaxes but procrastinates and stays up much too late. Thank goodness he was deferred, because that meant he has had to continue to keep his grades up. </p>
<p>This has truly been an exhausting journey and I’m sure glad this part is finally winding down.</p>
<p>Count me among the afflicted! It started when I did not attend “back to school” night in January (we’re on block scheduling, so students get new classes & teachers midway through the year). It was a cold night and there was a good college basketball game on TV, so I just didn’t go.</p>
<p>What a well-timed thread for me! I’ll be baking 10 dozen cookies for a fundraiser this weekend that I won’t attend! I’ve made a donation too, but feel a bit guilty for not being a warm body in the room. (Only a bit…and I’ve overcome it…‘cuz I’m not goin’!)</p>
<p>I am ready to get my daughter settled and move on to paying more attention to my next two children. The college application process has consumed a significant amount of time and energy. I hope we can apply what we have learned about the process to the others so that we can have a less stressful experience the next time around. Wishful thinking, I suppose, because a whole new set of unforeseen issues will probably arise.</p>
<p>I haven’t withdrawn completely, but I’ve definitely set really firm boundaries and am not taking on more than I want. I’ve been involved for more than a year with our Project Graduation, but I don’t feel like going that night. Time for others who’ve done nothing all year to step up.</p>
<p>Yes! I remember my last interminable dancing school recital when my youngest child was a senior, and thinking “It’s going to be at least 15 years before I have to sit through another of these!” (Not true, as it turned out . . . our friends’ children are younger, and sometimes you have to be there for them.)</p>
<p>I started my withdrawal earlier, though. When my kid got a full driver’s license, that cut my involvement in teenage activities by more than half.</p>
<p>What a great thread. I have often thought that I am fortunate (or my children are fortunate) that I only have two children. I have nearly checked out after child number one and child number two has two more years! I admire those wonderful people who have several children and continue to “serve.”</p>
<p>We’re all TIRED. This has been such a long haul. I only sleep 4-5 hours a night. I can’t wait until my senior graduates. Cannot WAIT. Empty nest syndrome? Not likely! I just want to get some sleep. I don’t want to help her with calculus any more!!!</p>
<p>I’m burned out by the college stuff, the running around stuff, and the senior project my son has to work on constantly. And I want to celebrate graduation somehow…but I need inspiration…a block party? What are you folks doing?</p>