I cheated today. I dropped him off Monday, saw him Tuesday morning for breakfast and orientation. Then didn’t hear from him for 3.5 days, though he was texting my wife occasionally. I had to deliver a bookshelf to fit inside his closet, so delivered it to him today. Bought some groceries also. I wasn’t the only one cheating, tons of parents were there at the dorm this morning bringing stuff in.
I am with my youngest of 3 as she enters her junior year in college and yes I still cry when I leave. It hasn’t gotten easier. Tomorrow I leave her in a condo with a roommate and I am a nervous wreck. Our nest became empty, and we relocated the same year, it was not a happy year.
I think it’s normal to mourn the beginning of the empty nest years. I remember the sadness I felt when my daughter, and then my son left for college. And now I’m dealing with it again, as my daughter got married two weeks ago, and I realize that she will never live in her room again.
It was definitely a little sad when we dropped off our first but the upside was we got to have a whole different relationship with her sister still at home. It was very nice. When we dropped off the second one I definitely felt sad but still there are upsides. As I said to friends
Me: You know what the best part of having an empty nest is?
Friend: What?
Me: Well it’s 5 pm, guess what I’m having for dinner tonight
Friend: What?
Me: I have absolutely no idea!
@TheGreyKing – that’s a lot on your plate and just wanted to send you my thoughts. You can’t do everything and I’m sure what you’re doing is what’s needed. Let the other stuff go and hang in there.
i cried – tears of joy! – when i dropped off my first. It was time!
but when #2 went i had the grocery store reaction and got teary-eyed.
still have 2 at home; it’s nice.
but when #4 leaves in 5 years, i’ll be a wreck . i agree with so many of you - lots of virtual hugs out there - and hope to hear how it goes. I am determined to spend quality time with her the next few years.
@TheGreyKing I’m sorry for all of your stress. I hope your mom starts doing better.
@kjs1992 oh thst is hard! I hadn’t expected D to move with her fiance so fast either. Are they moving for a good opportunity? Hopefully it will be somewhere fun to visit. It’s hard when they actually spread their wings!
D texted me last night so it was great to hear from her. Then I woke up to a text -they had to evacuate at 3:30 am because someone next door burned mac and cheese!
When we dropped off our youngest, I was the first one to arrive home (my husband had a work trip). The house was so empty… the dogs weren’t even there. It was so sad.
But of course, you adjust. And the way that I looked at it, the kids weren’t completely gone.I thought of it in segments of time. Two months until they came back, or a few months until I visited. You fo get used to the new normal. I never thought I would.
So sorry, @TheGreyKing , for all your challenges at the moment. Any one is difficult, and emotionally being pulled in different directions is often even worse than juggling logistics. Sending cyber strength and support.
Wow, @TheGreyKing, so many stresses all at one time. I don’t even know what to say. I hope somehow you can find a way to not let this affect your physical health, because that’s the last thing you need is for you to get sick, too. And stress like this is so dangerous for you. 
I like to think of the advertisement where the dad and mom are waiving junior goodbye in one shot and next shot is then converting the kids room into a hot tub for them. :)>-
My fourth and sophomore (yes, been through this August ritual a few times) drove her self to school about 6 hours away with a car full of crap - no loading or pushing that big bin for me! It was really the first time we weren’t involved in somebody’s move in for something like 8+ years (aside from helping her pack which was it’s own big job). It was great for her to see how much work it was to drive and unload herself, she was exhausted that first night! Frankly, I was thrilled not to do it, then turn around and drive 6 hours home. There is such freedom in seeing them become so independent.
For your first timers, I totally get how hard it is. What I do want to share is that while this time can be very difficult, when they do come home it is so BIG and special. Thanksgiving takes on a whole new feeling and is more special than it has ever been. While they may want to see friends over winter break, you will find them home a lot as they sleep off their tiring first freshman semester. There are many days to make their favorite breakfast or hit the local cafe together. It is hard to see now, but you have so much to look forward to! This door is closing, but they are opening some great windows - and you get to watch that happen for them. It’s pretty great.
I have always been so thankful we have text or other ways to keep up versus the $300/month phone bills I use to get calling my parents (but mostly my boyfriend) from my dorm’s land line. That was until the line was disconnected because I couldn’t pay those bills. 
Then mom had to rely on getting a letter from me to know anything (how did our parents do that)? We are lucky indeed.
^^ If I could I would like #51 twice.
Oh @AlmostThere2018 i was at the same orientation. We did a quick target run after the picnic then said goodbye. I too have done the find my iphone to see where she is on campus. Theres nothing wrong with that— it doesn’t bother her cause she doesn’t know!! It will get old soon. When she pays for her own phone she can get rid of it. I broke down as we drove away and miss her but she seems ok. Haven’t spoke since friday cause they are so busy. Her advisor said they wear them out so they are ready to relax in class Monday! I don’t even know whether she changed her classes at the advisor meeting. But i am sure we will speak this week sometime. So we are cleaning up at home from the packing mess and we are proud of our baby!
Totally disagree about turning off gps — they need to be able to be on the grid to be able to find the devices when they get lost. Also I’ve found that find my iphone gives her more independence. Theres no need to ask her to call when she gets home or even worse call while they are in the car driving. We just make a quick check to make sure shes gotten where shes going and theres no need to bug her. I am considered the cool mom who does not hassle her. Now that shes on campus its kind of irrelevant but will be useful again when she drives home.
Such a commitment. You should be proud!! @“great lakes mom”
You’re right - the GPS is to give HER more independence. It is indeed a safety measure. For her. “Find a Phone” not “Find a Daughter”?!
Isn’t checking her location a form of “hassle”??? Sort of sly hassle??
@TheGreyKing I hope things get easier for you soon!
I just wrote the “good luck at college, we’ll miss you so much” letter tl my daughter. I put it, in a green envelope, into the bin containing all her school supplies. I don’t imagine that one will be unpacked until after we leave Thursday afternoon.
Where on earth has the time gone?
Is it normal to have different reactions to different kids leaving??? My first left two years ago, and I wondered what I was doing wrong. Her sister and I moved her in, we made a Target run, and that was it. I laughed at her friends’ parents who were all gooey with emotions. But now my middle child is getting ready, and I am a MESS. I do not love this daughter more, but when she is home, she is HOME. Oldest is very reserved, quiet, independent, etc. Middle is also very independent, and a real mother hen to her teammates (some of the slightly-younger girls on her club swim team gave her a gift for being “the best swim mom ever”), but she also will sit in my lap if I let her, always wants to know where I am, does a happy dance if I’m cooking her favorite meals. We adopted her as a toddler and worked a lot on attachment, and I always joke that we ought to teach classes on it, 'cause she is more firmly attached than my two bio kids. She moves in this weekend, and just reading this thread makes me tear up. Thanks for the warnings about the grocery store, though–I’ll be sure to have tissues.