<p>I have a couple of friends who just took their freshmen to college. I would like to do something thoughtful and meaningful to help them through this adjustment or just to let them know that I am thinking of them. What did people do for you that you found to be helpful? Thanks</p>
<p>Would you all enjoy a girls’ night out together? I know my parents started socializing a lot more once their and their friends’ homes became kid-free. Bringing together a group of friends at the same life stage can be great for mutual support (especially if everyone hasn’t had a good group of friends in the past) and for socializing now that everyone may have more time to spend on friends and themselves. Depending on finances and personalities, you could do a pampering day together at a spa, dinner out, go to a show/performance, get together at your house for cocktails and chatting, or one of a hundred other ideas. </p>
<p>Many parents I know don’t have very good friends. So many adults’ lives are spent working and supporting their families that they don’t end up nurturing a group of friends. I think it would be great for you to try to connect a group of women who may have more free social time than previously. I am a student, so I may be completely off on this idea, but it seems to me that once kids leave the house many women find themselves with free time and are looking for new social outlets.</p>
<p>Or just have the couple over for dinner. Ask about the details of the drop-off. Ask to see pictures! They’d probably be very happy to have someone to tell the whole story to. You wrote “freshmen”. Is it twins? That’ll be a very empty nest all of a sudden!</p>
<p>corranged, you are a very thoughtful and wise student, I think. Your ideas sound terrific to me–and I am now an “empty nester.” Moominmama, too. My husband and I are starting to socialize more now that ours are gone, and it does help us to develop more of a life beyond kids. </p>
<p>So, I also suggest just getting together in whatever capacity works for you and having a good time together. And giving them a chance to talk about the experience, if they so desire–or NOT talk about it, if that is their preference…</p>
<p>my Ds school has a Moms Dinner, for past and present Moms, I still have a D at the school, but my oldest and her friends are all college freshman, so I am getting tickets for the Alumni moms to have dinner at the school…to get together and talk</p>
<p>I have also called the mom to check in</p>
<p>thanks for the advice! Moominmama it isn’t twins, it’s two different friends who just took thier freshman student to college for the first time. Neither is an empty nester yet as one has an 8th grader left at home and the other a Jr.</p>
<p>I already do a “First Friday” night out with one of the moms. I think I’ll ask the other to join us next fri. I also appreciate the advice to allow them to talk about it or NOT depending on how they feel. Thanks!</p>
<p>Chocolate. That always, always helps. :D</p>
<p>Articles in varioius publications mostly agree that a combination of red wine and chocolate not only provides great stimulus to various areas of the brain but (in moderation, of course) can improve your health.</p>
<p>So if you want to do something nice for your friends, and improve their health as well, bring them a bottle of fine red wine (port is my favorite) and some top-rank chocolate goodies and watch them adjust, while their health and the atmosphere improve.</p>
<p>And if your friends are non-drinkers, some nonalcoholic red wine will have just about the same health-improving attributes.</p>
<p>historymom, I got teary-eyed just reading your first post. What a kind thought! The suggestions above are good ones; I feel sure anything you do to show you care will be appreciated.</p>
<p>I was going to say a pitcher of margaritas, but I like astrophysicsmom’s idea of chocolate better.</p>
<p>Start a monthly, weekly. biweekly (or whatever) card, poker, bridge. mahj game, bookgroup. gourmet club, bowling club… whatever you and your friends enjoy. Making time for friends on a regular basis is a wonderful thing to do. The activity becomes almost beside the point!</p>