Daughter leaves Sunday for CP...sappy dad has mixed emotions

[Fargoman2]

On the one hand, I couldn't be more thrilled that my daughter has the chance to participate in CP. It is likely to be an experience she will treasure forever. (For starters, she's trading in -24F for +75F!)

But sappy dad here is a bit worried about missing his oldest daughter too much. While many other parents are used to having their daughters away at college, this is the first time we will be separated by such distance. (She goes to college where I work!)

I know we will soon adjust and take delight in her new magical experience, but it is tugging at my heart just a bit to see her go--even though it's just for 4.5 months. I'm just glad we'll be able to go down and see her in March.

If any other sappy CP parents can relate, your encouragement is appreciated.

Thanks..and Happy New Year!

 

[mathlady11]

I can definitely relate! It literally felt like someone had cut off my arm when I had to drive back to Ohio without DD. I just went to visit her for a few days and it was just as hard to good bye this time as it was in August.

I have talked to some friends whose oldest children went off to college about the same time and they all said they felt the same way. One of my friends husband even had to take her dinner chair down to the basement because he couldn't stand to look at it empty every night!

I'm a little more used to it now and it's nice knowing that she felt comfortable enough to extend her program. We are a close family though and family functions this holiday season have been weird without her. To be honest though I don't know how parents did it before texting and emailing were around!

 

[MiaTurner]

Not a parent, but I can tell you my Dad feels the same way He's thrilled, but I'm the youngest of two and he's very sad to be left with an empty nest.

The cool thing is, we do webcam chats through Ichat. Maybe talk to your daughter about (if you don't already have a system set up) getting a screenname for Meebo. They have free video chatting on their website. Pretty cool stuff! The cool thing, like you said, is that she's going off to do something VERY exciting and will be having a lot of fun!

 

[Joanna71985]

I'm not a parent either, but both my parents felt the same way when I did my first CP. They thought it would be a good experience, but didn't think I was ready to go. One thing that helped was me calling home a lot (which also helped me, as much as them). They also came down for a visit halfway through my CP.

 

[Jillpie]

We just dropped off our son at the airport on Sunday, and won't see him till April. So I know exactly how you feel right now. It is the strangest thing knowing we won't actually see him for so long!! But talking to him the past couple of days, I feel alot better. As long as I can talk to him and text, and email, I think we'll be okay.

 

[onehotdisneymama]

Daddys love their little girls , don't they? We live about an hour and a half from Disney World. My daughter left last May to do the Fall program and she has extended her program until May 2009. Not only does her daddy miss her, but so do I. It really hurts to leave her, but she is enjoying her time at Disney. I would be happy to answer any questions you might have. I had alot of questions and reading the College section here helped. Sat at the computer alot of hours , but it is worth it.

 

[BWVPam]

I too am dropping my son off at the airport on Sunday. We are planning on visiting during spring break. He just left for the first time in the fall for college. he has been home from school for the last 3 1/2 weeks and i am going to hate it when he leaves again, but know this is a great experience for him.