<p>Well, not my first post, but close. My S is off at H summer program and since we live overseas I didn’t get to drop him off, or see the dorm or anything. So admitting here that despite him being responsible, good kid etc I am feeling nervous, sad, something. I know when he comes back for his last year it will be different. and of course this is my eldest, so haven’t learned any lessons yet…</p>
<p>So do I sound pathetic? Thought it might be better to find some way to vent this here than wanting to call every day and see how things are going ( which I won’t do!) </p>
<p>Not quite an empty nest, but I will say it is much quieter!</p>
<p>I’m getting ready for both of my college-age kids going overseas this coming week, so I know exactly how you feel. This is the first time that they will both be away together, so hopefully, they’ll be able to watch over each other. Even though my S is somewhat of an experienced traveler, I still worry, and this is my D’s first time away overseas for any length of time. They are both looking forward to it, so it should be a very educational and enlightening trip. It sounds like your S will have an amazing summer and meet lots of new, interesting people.</p>
<p>Marite: My S is on the SPP program so one of the dorms on the yard, apparently. I am not worried about him, I am sure he will be just fine. It’s me thats having problems ;)</p>
<p>nyumom: hardest thing I did in a long time was drive away from the airport!</p>
<p>{{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}} to you! I can only imagine how hard it has been for you to not only have your oldest child go away to a summer program, but also for that program to be across an ocean from where you are!!! Your feelings are more than understandable, and I admire you for your strength and also for your channeling your feelings here to this board rather than letting your son know how disoriented you feel with him away. I’m sure your son is a great, responsible kid and that he will do well on his own for this program. And as much as you don’t think this will happen, I know, too, that you will become more comfortable with him being gone for periods of time. I know that your son will most likely have the time of his life at this summer program, and when he returns, he’ll have all kinds of adventures and interesting things to relate to you! Hang in there…it’s going to be just fine, ok?? :)</p>
<p>Expatme - Welcome! I lived in Germany for a few years, so I have a sense of what it is like. We lived in Georgia (where we live now) when I sent my first S off to Philadelphia. We lived in Germany when I sent my second S off to NYC. I was amazed at the difference in how I felt! When we returned to Georgia last year, there was such a relief knowing that I was on the same continent as my kids.</p>
<p>My D - the youngest - is going back to Germany in a month, just to visit. It makes me far more nervous sending her there than it will to send her to Ohio in the fall when she starts college, even though she’s lived in Germany, and is very comfortable there. Something about that ocean in between that makes it worse.</p>
<p>Congrats to your S for getting into a great program. I know you’re thrilled for him, and that is why you let him get on the plane in the first place. I agree with Cheers that the infrequent “I don’t need you” emails are a bit rough - but they are far better than any that say, “I’m sick. I hate it here. I have no friends.” So take comfort where you find it, and enjoy his successes.</p>
<p>Hello, mudder, hello fudder
Here I am at
Camp Granader…</p>
<p>When we sent S to his first overnight camp after 5th grade, parents were forbidden to contact their kids (and vice-versa) for the first week so that kids could adjust to the camp, get over their homesickness and focus on making friends. It was torture for us; but he had a ball.</p>