<p>We dropped D off on Sunday in NYC from SF…and I haven’t really “cried” yet</p>
<p>I miss her off course, but she is SO happy, and loves where she is, and all went so smoothly, I could just smile</p>
<p>Came home to messy house, 16yo D, three dogs, and life</p>
<p>I am sure reallity will hit soon, but for now, just going to make cookies to send off and pick up her room</p>
<p>I’m not in the “haven’t cried” group - I shed some tears - not downright sobbing mind you, but it was hellish coming back to the house the day we dropped her off - I couldn’t even walk BY her room! Everything reminded me of her - just a real sense of sadness even though I’m so happy for her! </p>
<p>The next day I was able to go in her room (daytime seems easier to handle emotions) and clean up. I was sure to still keep it “her room” just minus inches of dust bunnies…!</p>
<p>Last year was DD’s freshman year. I cried … a lot at first. It got easier as the year progressed. This year, after helping her move back to school, DH and I were sad to leave her, but happy that she is so thrilled with her school. I passed a big hurdle yesterday. When she left to go back after the long weekend, I didn’t cry at all. I smiled, waved and blew kisses, feeling happy because I know she’s so happy. Now I just have to prepare myself for next year. She plans to intern in Washington during the summer and study abroad during the fall semester.</p>
<p>I promise you parents of freshman … it does get easier. Chin up!</p>
<p>Both mine already graduated. They’re currently living at home.</p>
<p>I used to cry when I got the tuition bills.</p>
<p>I’ll cry again when each moves out for good.</p>
<p>When my oldest left, it was as if nothing had happened. I still had younger to get through his senior year of high school (pictures, grad night, senior baseball season, college apps, grad announcements, parties…). When we dropped off younger, the next day home I woke up and it hit me that BOTH my babies were gone now. I was done being a mom (as I’ve known the role). I cried all day, while putting together some “furniture in a box”. I cried until I went to sleep. Then the next day I woke up and everything was fine, and I’ve been fine ever since.</p>
<p>Of course, my kids go to school about 3 hours away so it’s not out of the question to visit if I want to. We just went to see a football game at the campus last weekend.</p>
<p>The biggest “tearjerker” wasn’t distance, but the fact that my role as primary caregiver was over for good. It was purely a psychological break.</p>
<p>Who hasn’t cried? Not this mom. I cried when my older son left for college three years ago. I cried when we moved younger son two weeks ago. Even the ordinary things like the songs they listen to, the shows we watch together make me sad.
Like Splashmom said it gets better, but it does not completely disappear. I have a lot of projects planned around the house to keep me busy and it helps a lot to keep my mind off it.</p>
<p>Does it count if I cried at just the thought of saying good by in 2 years?
Seriously, right before the start of school I realized they were juniors and I just couldn’t believe the time just vanished. Then I read all the stories here about the drop offs and sobbed some more!!! Maybe I’ll be all cried out by then!</p>
<p>I teared up when the bagpipers were welcoming the freshmen at her school. And it was because it just seemed like such a great place to leave my daughter. It was a very moving welcome to the school.</p>
<p>It feels funny and kind of lonely with <em>only</em> two left at home, oddly quiet and uneventful, but as my husband said the other day, my oldest daughter really <em>needed to go away to school.</em> So, mixed bag here, as always.</p>
<p>I did cry a little when older D and younger D were hugging goodbye, that was powerful stuff</p>
<p>But so far, I just picture oldest D caring her books around, looking all collegiate and stuff</p>
<p>CGM, I didn’t cry for about a month after dropping S off last year. (I had cried several times beforehand, BTW). Then, one night, it hit like the proverbial ton of bricks, and I sobbed and sobbed.</p>
<p>Go figure.</p>
<p>that sounds like what will happen to me…something will trigger it…the first father daughter dance with just the one daughter, man that will do it</p>
<p>Things that help the tough moments…I got an email from Astrogirl today; in it she said, “I am infinitely glad I came here” regarding her college choice. If I was worried about her, I’d truly be a basket case.</p>
<p>i wish i could say i haven’t cried! last year was my first empty nest year and i had a horrible time of it. i was actually wonderful in the fall and thought i had it all figured out…then the holidays came and when january rolled around, i was devastated. i can’t explain it! it is getting better all the time, but it was (is!) very hard to switch roles at this time of my life! i miss being involved in so many activities!</p>
<p>“but it was (is!) very hard to switch roles at this time of my life! i miss being involved in so many activities!”</p>
<p>There are many activities that you can become involved with even though your kids aren’t around. I’ve gotten involved in spiritual communities, acting, community service, a book club, photography, writing, and have a very full, interesting schedule. This is a great time to dive into things that you’d put off doing when your kids were young. It’s also a wonderful time to catch up with old friends and to reach out to and make new ones.</p>
<p>My nest is empty, but I haven’t cried. I’m glad that my S is in a school that’s a great match for him. While I miss him, I’m enjoying my freedom of having time to enjoy various activities including some that I’d never had the courage to try before.</p>
<p>i’m doing many other activities–i guess i miss being involved with my kid’s activities. i enjoyed the craziness of a house full of kids watching march madness or superbowls or whatever. not that i ever hung out in the same room with the kids, i just liked having the business of a family.</p>
<p>i am now involved as a faculty fellow, a breakfast book club member, a role in a community committee on economic development, and i am hosting a women who want to learn how to knit meeting at my home every wednesday night. i am meeting friends for breakfast, lunch, or coffee and enjoying those times as well. i recently flew to st. paul for the weekend to visit a dear friend, too!</p>
<p>i’m involved, just differently…i can still long for how things were, can’t i?</p>
<p>I just got back from the airport dropping off S2. Talked to my H on the phone, and he asked if I cried. I said, “No. I’ve taken him to the airport before.” He said, “Yeah, but you’ve never done it when there was no one left at home.” </p>
<p>I will be one of those who cries unexpectedly. I am dreading being in the car when “There Goes My Life” comes on the radio.</p>
<p><a href=“http://music.aol.com/video/there-goes-my-life-aol-sessions/kenny-chesney/1123640[/url]”>http://music.aol.com/video/there-goes-my-life-aol-sessions/kenny-chesney/1123640</a></p>
<p>Yes, you can mourn the loss of that time, as the raising of a family is a precious thing. I looked forward to having kids of my own starting about age 7 and PC or not, feel it is what I was meant to do. It’s over, aside from email holidays and summers. I had my kids late, valued the entire experience. </p>
<p>The rest of my life, catching up on lost skills and activities, finding new ones, is exciting, fun. My new life will be wonderful as well, but the transition sometimes brings me, and many, to tears. </p>
<p>I have a new ESL student in the house, freshly arrived from Asia last night. Her mom called an hour after we got home from the airport. She hung up and the D said, ‘she is crying’ Only child, and university students live at home in Asia. Feels precious to have someone else’s darling child in the house, as I long for the presence of my own.</p>
<p>Great song Binx. Thanks for sharing!</p>
<p>Well, I had not cried yet this fall, until I played that song!</p>
<p>No tears. I’d like to string the older one up by his toenails so it’s a good thing I can’t lay my mitts on him.</p>
<p>The younger one wrote to say that he is well known, campus wide and has two new best friends. He’s been there for four days. </p>
<p>The proverbial is hitting the fan at the office. It’s all on in my life.</p>