Having a very hard time with DS going off to college

[mom2rtk]

DD has been playing intramural volleyball. After her game last night, she sent me a text saying she hurt her wrist and it was swollen. I told her to ice it and see how it is in the morning. This morning she said it was better; "not as swollen," but it still hurt. She just sent me a picture of it a few minutes ago. I'd hate to have seen it before it was "not as swollen." The campus clinic doesn't do x-rays and she really doesn't want to go to a clinic. She said it can wait until she gets home on Thursday. I want to go down there right now and smack her upside the head and then take her to a clinic!

On no! I'm so sorry she's dealing with that now. And here's hoping it just gets better on its own. I know I twisted my ankle once and it looked terrible, but wasn't broken and did indeed get better on its own.

Keep us posted on how she's doing.

My heart hurts for all of who have kids in school so far away. I know that I am blessed to have them both within 2 hours of us. Even then, when you don't see them it feels like they're farther away than that. What hurts me the most is when I feel them pushing me away. I know that it's a natural thing for our kids to do, but I don't have to like it.

It really does help to stay busy. I agree that it is very difficult when you go and do something that the whole family used to do together and your child is not there. For the longest time I just couldn't do anything that we used to all do. I felt like I wasn't done being their mommy and there was so much left that I wanted to do with them. I just wasn't ready.

Anyhow....My son went to the orthopedic doctor this afternoon for his knee and the doc said that he wants to handle his new injury conservatively at first. So he will be going to physical therapy either at the school health center or somewhere close to where he's living. We will be sending him back with our second car for the time being. He's not supposed to walk much and the bus stop he goes to is a half hour walk for him.

Life is full of drama!

Hope you are all doing better today

Here's hoping your DS does well with his PT and his knee is on the mend.

 

[mom2rtk]

OK, raise your hands if you watch "The Middle".

I LOVE that show. But I probably shouldn't admit that because it might give you all a clue just how chaotic my life is since Frankie is my hero.

Anyway, the new season starts Wednesday and it kicks off with them dropping Axl off at college. I'll be watching, but it might be the first time I cry watching a comedy!

 

[LisaR]

OK, raise your hands if you watch "The Middle".

I LOVE that show. But I probably shouldn't admit that because it might give you all a clue just how chaotic my life is since Frankie is my hero.

Anyway, the new season starts Wednesday and it kicks off with them dropping Axl off at college. I'll be watching, but it might be the first time I cry watching a comedy!

We watch Modern Family and The Middle. Both had an episode last season that made me tear up slightly. If the college episode doesn't put me over the edge, the fact that we are watching both shows without DD will. We DVR'd them and watched them a day or two later and it was homemade pizza night. Just another tradition that is gone.

 

[mom2rtk]

We watch Modern Family and The Middle. Both had an episode last season that made me tear up slightly. If the college episode doesn't put me over the edge, the fact that we are watching both shows without DD will. We DVR'd them and watched them a day or two later and it was homemade pizza night. Just another tradition that is gone.

I hadn't even considered that angle! My DS really only watches sports on TV, so we never had any traditions like that. My DD is my Middle buddy. I would totally be losing it if she was the one who was gone.

I (cough cough) *might* have sixty some episodes of "The Middle" collected on my DVR. We take turns choosing episodes a couple times a week.

I really just need to invest in some DVDs!

 

[luvavacation]

Another family here that loves The Middle! I did not know the first episode will be Axl leaving for college. I am sure I will laughing through my tears!

LisaR and nancygirl1, I hope your children heal quickly. Unfortunately when they are athletes, things like this happen. My youngest DD played Badminton for 4 years, and has had shoulder problems since Senior year last year. She informed me that she is running out of Aleve and is heading out to buy more today. Apparently she is taking it every day for her shoulder. I guess I am taking her back to the doctor over Thanksgiving. Here's to a miraculous healing for all of the kids!

So I have to vent this morning. I am sorry if my posts seem to alway be long, but I have to get this out.

Being away on my trip, I had no idea what was really happening at my DD's school. I have been encouraging her to get out and maybe attend a nice party or two, just to meet more people in a social setting. Turns out, while I was gone, there was a Barn Party off campus (what that is, I don't know, but it was a big thing). DD did not attend, because she doesn't like the whole "college party" atmosphere, after finally attending one party a few weeks ago. I respect that, she went out, tried to be social, didn't like the drunk people and pot smoking. Good girl, proud of her.

Anyway, this Barn Party. It was put on by a black Fraternity, and there were some shootings and a gang beating. Police were called, the fraternity is cancelled I believe, and it was a big deal for the school, since there were guns, gangs, and shootings. Parents are upset, DD says kids at school are angry with the the school itself for shutting down the fraternity that threw the wildest parties, etc.

DD is seriously upset. She came from a high school that had 1,000 kids per class Freshman year, but only 650 make it to graduation. It is a huge school, and if you are a good student or in band it is a great school because it offers so much, but it is easy to get lost and be a part of a gang there, too.

Due to the gang problems at DD's high school, there was a constant police presence, fights in the main hallways almost every day, etc. Being in the honours programs kept my DD's away from most of this, and as I said, big school, so many opportunities for success.

DD wanted more than anything to get away from that atmosphere when she went to college. She considered joining her big sister at Purdue, and was accepted, but she wants to be a teacher and the education major at Purdue is just another major (great school for aeronautics, engineering or sciences, though!). DD wanted a school where education was going to be a big focus, so she went with EIU. She received a great scholarship, is in the Honours program, she felt this would be the best school.

From day one, she realized she was not leaving the issues in HS behind. The campus is very mixed, which is fine if everyone is focused on college success, but she says so many there have a High School mentality of "get it done and party hard". She finds it hard to stay away from these people, because of the dorm living, where everyone of every major is living together.

DD chose an Honours Floor for her dorm, but then we find out after move-in that not enough people qualified for the Honours Floor so the school let anyone move in there. DD says the RAs are some of the hardest partiers, and they don't all enforce the quiet hours.

So, DD is very disenchanted with her choice of school. She has met some nice girls, she has friendships, she is challenged in some of her classes (she thrives on challenge, so this is good), but she is so upset about the whole "extension of High School gang culture" atmosphere.

I know there isn't anything we can do about this, she just has to adjust. I just had to vent. I was never allowed to go college, so I don't have my own experiences to fall back on, but I know DD at Purdue did not deal with any of this. Her biggest complaint was of the foreign exchange students driving for the first time trying to drive on the one-way roads at school! And sure, there were parties, but there were never any gang problems or shootings, and Purdue seemed much more strict about dealing with people that were caught drinking underage.

I am staying neutral, telling DD that she will do fine, lots of opportunities for Education majors at her school, etc., etc. I just had to vent to you guys though. Different schools, different experiences, I guess we all just thought everyone would leave gang life behind once in college, so the disappointment is present. Oh well, life is all about changing our expectations I suppose.

 

[marcyinPA]

I hadn't even considered that angle! My DS really only watches sports on TV, so we never had any traditions like that. My DD is my Middle buddy. I would totally be losing it if she was the one who was gone.

I (cough cough) *might* have sixty some episodes of "The Middle" collected on my DVR. We take turns choosing episodes a couple times a week.

I really just need to invest in some DVDs!

My DS is my Parenthood buddy. We also watched Scandal together. But Parenthood always brought about some really meaningful conversations between us. I am really going to miss that, and he already told me he was going to miss watching with me.

 

[marcyinPA]

Another family here that loves The Middle! I did not know the first episode will be Axl leaving for college. I am sure I will laughing through my tears!

LisaR and nancygirl1, I hope your children heal quickly. Unfortunately when they are athletes, things like this happen. My youngest DD played Badminton for 4 years, and has had shoulder problems since Senior year last year. She informed me that she is running out of Aleve and is heading out to buy more today. Apparently she is taking it every day for her shoulder. I guess I am taking her back to the doctor over Thanksgiving. Here's to a miraculous healing for all of the kids!

So I have to vent this morning. I am sorry if my posts seem to alway be long, but I have to get this out.

Being away on my trip, I had no idea what was really happening at my DD's school. I have been encouraging her to get out and maybe attend a nice party or two, just to meet more people in a social setting. Turns out, while I was gone, there was a Barn Party off campus (what that is, I don't know, but it was a big thing). DD did not attend, because she doesn't like the whole "college party" atmosphere, after finally attending one party a few weeks ago. I respect that, she went out, tried to be social, didn't like the drunk people and pot smoking. Good girl, proud of her.

Anyway, this Barn Party. It was put on by a black Fraternity, and there were some shootings and a gang beating. Police were called, the fraternity is cancelled I believe, and it was a big deal for the school, since there were guns, gangs, and shootings. Parents are upset, DD says kids at school are angry with the the school itself for shutting down the fraternity that threw the wildest parties, etc.

DD is seriously upset. She came from a high school that had 1,000 kids per class Freshman year, but only 650 make it to graduation. It is a huge school, and if you are a good student or in band it is a great school because it offers so much, but it is easy to get lost and be a part of a gang there, too.

Due to the gang problems at DD's high school, there was a constant police presence, fights in the main hallways almost every day, etc. Being in the honours programs kept my DD's away from most of this, and as I said, big school, so many opportunities for success.

DD wanted more than anything to get away from that atmosphere when she went to college. She considered joining her big sister at Purdue, and was accepted, but she wants to be a teacher and the education major at Purdue is just another major (great school for aeronautics, engineering or sciences, though!). DD wanted a school where education was going to be a big focus, so she went with EIU. She received a great scholarship, is in the Honours program, she felt this would be the best school.

From day one, she realized she was not leaving the issues in HS behind. The campus is very mixed, which is fine if everyone is focused on college success, but she says so many there have a High School mentality of "get it done and party hard". She finds it hard to stay away from these people, because of the dorm living, where everyone of every major is living together.

DD chose an Honours Floor for her dorm, but then we find out after move-in that not enough people qualified for the Honours Floor so the school let anyone move in there. DD says the RAs are some of the hardest partiers, and they don't all enforce the quiet hours.

So, DD is very disenchanted with her choice of school. She has met some nice girls, she has friendships, she is challenged in some of her classes (she thrives on challenge, so this is good), but she is so upset about the whole "extension of High School gang culture" atmosphere.

I know there isn't anything we can do about this, she just has to adjust. I just had to vent. I was never allowed to go college, so I don't have my own experiences to fall back on, but I know DD at Purdue did not deal with any of this. Her biggest complaint was of the foreign exchange students driving for the first time trying to drive on the one-way roads at school! And sure, there were parties, but there were never any gang problems or shootings, and Purdue seemed much more strict about dealing with people that were caught drinking underage.

I am staying neutral, telling DD that she will do fine, lots of opportunities for Education majors at her school, etc., etc. I just had to vent to you guys though. Different schools, different experiences, I guess we all just thought everyone would leave gang life behind once in college, so the disappointment is present. Oh well, life is all about changing our expectations I suppose.

I could have written most of this post- and I will admit to wondering if you live in my city and if your DD went to HS with my DS. Very similar experience here!! I completely understand what you are saying. My DS is going through something very similar at his school. He chose this school- a state university- based on finances. He was also accepted at a small Christian college which was his first choice, based on atmosphere and offerings, but we couldn't afford to send him, even with the financial aid. He picked where he is now because he liked it well enough, it had his exact major, and he liked the campus. It has been a tough adjustment. The guys on his floor are really into partying. They come in drunk all the time, everyone smokes ( my DS said that seriously everyone smokes at this school and he is going to die if second hand smoke exposure- lol). His RA parties with the guys. My DS has ZERO interest in drinking. ZERO. He chose to olive in this dorm because it is a first year living experience dorm. Longer quiet hours, more support, etc. It is NOT anything like they sold it as.

What is going to keep him there, however , is the Christian Fellowship group he joined. He loves it and has met some great people. He feels part of the group and has a place. It makes the dorm situation so much easier.

It is interesting that he was used to this large HS that had a lot of inner city issues and he made it through because of band, chorus and theatre. Now he is finding his "people" all over again at college, and as he does, it gets better and better.

I pray for your DD to find her "people"- her niche!!

 

[mom2rtk]

Hugs to those of you with kids dealing with partying classmates.

Hopefully next year they will know the ins and outs of which dorms have a better reputation and have found some kids like themselves to live with.

No reports from my DS of party issues. I'm not sure if that's because he is at a smaller school that really just does engineering (although I do know they have their share, maybe just not as much), or because he's just not telling me! In high school he really just watched all of that sort of activity from the sidelines in amusement. He couldn't wait to fill me in on the latest fist fight in the cafeteria or visit to school from the police.

The biggest excitement so far was the campus wide alert because someone was knifed at a nearby hotel and the suspect was on the run. I got 2 messages that morning and he said he got FIVE! Which annoyed him because it was early in the morning and he was trying to sleep.

It sounds like some of your kids are having some challenges, but it also sounds like they were well prepared and will handle it just fine. Kudos!

 

[marcyinPA]

Hugs to those of you with kids dealing with partying classmates.

Hopefully next year they will know the ins and outs of which dorms have a better reputation and have found some kids like themselves to live with.

No reports from my DS of party issues. I'm not sure if that's because he is at a smaller school that really just does engineering (although I do know they have their share, maybe just not as much), or because he's just not telling me! In high school he really just watched all of that sort of activity from the sidelines in amusement. He couldn't wait to fill me in on the latest fist fight in the cafeteria or visit to school from the police.

The biggest excitement so far was the campus wide alert because someone was knifed at a nearby hotel and the suspect was on the run. I got 2 messages that morning and he said he got FIVE! Which annoyed him because it was early in the morning and he was trying to sleep.

It sounds like some of your kids are having some challenges, but it also sounds like they were well prepared and will handle it just fine. Kudos!

Thanks for the hugs! I do think each day gets better for him. He posted on Facebook on Monday that they had their first fire drill at 4 a.m. He said the desk staff was laughing at them and teasing "good morning!!" He was not amused! Lol

 

[mom2rtk]

Thanks for the hugs! I do think each day gets better for him. He posted on Facebook on Monday that they had their first fire drill at 4 a.m. He said the desk staff was laughing at them and teasing "good morning!!" He was not amused! Lol

LOL, my son usually sleeps in shorts and a t-shirt. But his 5 AM fire drill still wasn't very pleasant on what was one of their coolest mornings yet. He said some of the guys just had on boxers. Lots of grumbling going on that morning.

 

[LisaR]

Another family here that loves The Middle! I did not know the first episode will be Axl leaving for college. I am sure I will laughing through my tears!

LisaR and nancygirl1, I hope your children heal quickly. Unfortunately when they are athletes, things like this happen. My youngest DD played Badminton for 4 years, and has had shoulder problems since Senior year last year. She informed me that she is running out of Aleve and is heading out to buy more today. Apparently she is taking it every day for her shoulder. I guess I am taking her back to the doctor over Thanksgiving. Here's to a miraculous healing for all of the kids!

So I have to vent this morning. I am sorry if my posts seem to alway be long, but I have to get this out.

Being away on my trip, I had no idea what was really happening at my DD's school. I have been encouraging her to get out and maybe attend a nice party or two, just to meet more people in a social setting. Turns out, while I was gone, there was a Barn Party off campus (what that is, I don't know, but it was a big thing). DD did not attend, because she doesn't like the whole "college party" atmosphere, after finally attending one party a few weeks ago. I respect that, she went out, tried to be social, didn't like the drunk people and pot smoking. Good girl, proud of her.

Anyway, this Barn Party. It was put on by a black Fraternity, and there were some shootings and a gang beating. Police were called, the fraternity is cancelled I believe, and it was a big deal for the school, since there were guns, gangs, and shootings. Parents are upset, DD says kids at school are angry with the the school itself for shutting down the fraternity that threw the wildest parties, etc.

DD is seriously upset. She came from a high school that had 1,000 kids per class Freshman year, but only 650 make it to graduation. It is a huge school, and if you are a good student or in band it is a great school because it offers so much, but it is easy to get lost and be a part of a gang there, too.

Due to the gang problems at DD's high school, there was a constant police presence, fights in the main hallways almost every day, etc. Being in the honours programs kept my DD's away from most of this, and as I said, big school, so many opportunities for success.

DD wanted more than anything to get away from that atmosphere when she went to college. She considered joining her big sister at Purdue, and was accepted, but she wants to be a teacher and the education major at Purdue is just another major (great school for aeronautics, engineering or sciences, though!). DD wanted a school where education was going to be a big focus, so she went with EIU. She received a great scholarship, is in the Honours program, she felt this would be the best school.

From day one, she realized she was not leaving the issues in HS behind. The campus is very mixed, which is fine if everyone is focused on college success, but she says so many there have a High School mentality of "get it done and party hard". She finds it hard to stay away from these people, because of the dorm living, where everyone of every major is living together.

DD chose an Honours Floor for her dorm, but then we find out after move-in that not enough people qualified for the Honours Floor so the school let anyone move in there. DD says the RAs are some of the hardest partiers, and they don't all enforce the quiet hours.

So, DD is very disenchanted with her choice of school. She has met some nice girls, she has friendships, she is challenged in some of her classes (she thrives on challenge, so this is good), but she is so upset about the whole "extension of High School gang culture" atmosphere.

I know there isn't anything we can do about this, she just has to adjust. I just had to vent. I was never allowed to go college, so I don't have my own experiences to fall back on, but I know DD at Purdue did not deal with any of this. Her biggest complaint was of the foreign exchange students driving for the first time trying to drive on the one-way roads at school! And sure, there were parties, but there were never any gang problems or shootings, and Purdue seemed much more strict about dealing with people that were caught drinking underage.

I am staying neutral, telling DD that she will do fine, lots of opportunities for Education majors at her school, etc., etc. I just had to vent to you guys though. Different schools, different experiences, I guess we all just thought everyone would leave gang life behind once in college, so the disappointment is present. Oh well, life is all about changing our expectations I suppose.

I have to admit to feeling like an old curmudgeon when I talk to DD. The things she has seen in just six weeks have made my hair curl. I know sex, drugs, and drinking took place regularly when I was in college, but DD makes it sound so much worse. Maybe I was just too drunk to remember how bad it really was! DD is not at a known party school, but you wouldn't know it from the stories she has told.

I won't share the sex and drinking stories. They will keep most of you up at night which is why I don't sleep anymore!

Honestly, I don't know how some of these kids are still in college. DD met a guy who was 23 and still a junior. He told her someday he was going to pass enough classes to actually graduate. DD asked how he pays for school because she knows if she flunks classes, we won't pay. He said his parents still pay because the alternative would be him dropping out, moving back home, and living with them until he is 40 and they definitely don't want that. Really? In my world the alternative would be mom and dad stop paying for college and Junior finds his own place to live and gets a job.

Another guy DD knows well (he is in four of her five classes) simply didn't bother showing up for the first test in one class. He said he didn't study so he figured he would just sleep in instead. DD seems to have met many people who don't take their education seriously.

Thankfully, DD is learning to navigate the ins and outs of college life. She seems to be surrounding herself with some good people and avoiding the losers. Hopefully she is able to stay on the right path while still having fun.

Good luck to your DD! College is crazy and nothing like the real world, IMO.

 

[marcyinPA]

I have to admit to feeling like an old curmudgeon when I talk to DD. The things she has seen in just six weeks have made my hair curl. I know sex, drugs, and drinking took place regularly when I was in college, but DD makes it sound so much worse. Maybe I was just too drunk to remember how bad it really was! DD is not at a known party school, but you wouldn't know it from the stories she has told.

I won't share the sex and drinking stories. They will keep most of you up at night which is why I don't sleep anymore!

Honestly, I don't know how some of these kids are still in college. DD met a guy who was 23 and still a junior. He told her someday he was going to pass enough classes to actually graduate. DD asked how he pays for school because she knows if she flunks classes, we won't pay. He said his parents still pay because the alternative would be him dropping out, moving back home, and living with them until he is 40 and they definitely don't want that. Really? In my world the alternative would be mom and dad stop paying for college and Junior finds his own place to live and gets a job.

Another guy DD knows well (he is in four of her five classes) simply didn't bother showing up for the first test in one class. He said he didn't study so he figured he would just sleep in instead. DD seems to have met many people who don't take their education seriously.

Thankfully, DD is learning to navigate the ins and outs of college life. She seems to be surrounding herself with some good people and avoiding the losers. Hopefully she is able to stay on the right path while still having fun.

Good luck to your DD! College is crazy and nothing like the real world, IMO.

Amen Sistah on the bolded!! Seriously- could we label these kids as "snowflakes"- My DS paid for his first semester with his own money, and will pay for the next two as well. After that, we are going to have to sell our plasma or something, but we'll figure it out. My hope is that because he has skin in the game- he will take it seriously and do well.

It makes my stomach hurt to think of how many kids take their parents' good will for granted. A college education is not on the list of "must provides" when raising children.

 

[Christine]

I have to admit to feeling like an old curmudgeon when I talk to DD. The things she has seen in just six weeks have made my hair curl. I know sex, drugs, and drinking took place regularly when I was in college, but DD makes it sound so much worse. Maybe I was just too drunk to remember how bad it really was! DD is not at a known party school, but you wouldn't know it from the stories she has told.

I won't share the sex and drinking stories. They will keep most of you up at night which is why I don't sleep anymore!

Honestly, I don't know how some of these kids are still in college. DD met a guy who was 23 and still a junior. He told her someday he was going to pass enough classes to actually graduate. DD asked how he pays for school because she knows if she flunks classes, we won't pay. He said his parents still pay because the alternative would be him dropping out, moving back home, and living with them until he is 40 and they definitely don't want that. Really? In my world the alternative would be mom and dad stop paying for college and Junior finds his own place to live and gets a job.

Another guy DD knows well (he is in four of her five classes) simply didn't bother showing up for the first test in one class. He said he didn't study so he figured he would just sleep in instead. DD seems to have met many people who don't take their education seriously.

Thankfully, DD is learning to navigate the ins and outs of college life. She seems to be surrounding herself with some good people and avoiding the losers. Hopefully she is able to stay on the right path while still having fun.

Good luck to your DD! College is crazy and nothing like the real world, IMO.

Your post made me laugh!! When I was in college WAY back, one of my good friends was 26 years old and was a junior. He joked about being a professional student. He wasn't a loser though, really. He went to class and didn't flunk but he just changed his mind a lot and took breaks. He was one of the first people I knew that worked at Disney one year while in college and worked at Main Street Bakery when it was a real bakery and learned to make their cinnamon bread--which he made for us in the dorm periodically.

I've heard a few stories from my son but suspect I will hear more when he comes for a visit. He did say there was this one girl in his dorm and he's never seen her sober. Preacher's daughter too!

And all schools are party schools, even the schools that aren't party schools!

 

[yoopermom]

I knew y'all would think this was cute. I have a chance to stop and see DS for just a quick overnight in ten days. I told him last night, there was a looooong pause, and he said, "Do you think you could bring Beans (his dog) with you?" That's right, who cares about mom, just missing his dumb dog. So now I have to make a new reservation at a hotel that takes small dogs, take the crate so he has somewhere to be when we're shopping and at dinner, etc, and plan enough extra driving time to stop for doggy potty breaks, etc.

Good thing I love DS !

Terri
PS I told him that if he gets an apartment next year that Beans can go live with him!

 

[Katy Belle]

DS hasn't talked too much about the party-ers. He did say that one night he was studying in the lounge on his floor, really late, like 2a.m. and a drunk floor mate came in and was all "Hey man, why are you studying man?? Man its 2 in the morning Man, you should be partying like me Man." DS found it really funny and now imitates him. He says the guy is 21, perhaps he is He did say at the very beginning they were told that if someone had pot, to rat them out. They said the police have arrested a whole bunch of guys if they couldn't figure out which one actually had it. He's heard this more than once and is ready to rat out anyone given the chance!

DS has had a rough start to his week. He was home for the weekend, forgot his pillows and phone charger here, got home late on Sunday because he helped a friend out who needed a ride, adding 2 1/2 hours onto his trip, and now the Dad of one of his best friends died. She is actually going to the same University he is and they were friends in HS. Poor family. DS is crushed for her. He decided he will skip classes Thursday to come home for the funeral. I'm fine with that. So he will probably come home Wednesday night and leave Thursday afternoon. I know he will do what he can to help out his friend in this horrible time. Tough stuff....

 

[luvavacation]

Yes I suppose college life really is an eye-opener, not just for our kids but for us, too! Never, ever would I have thought that there were fraternities composed of gang members. I have great respect for anyone that comes from a troubled life and manages to care enough about their future to strive to better themselves, but no respect at all for those that are handed a chance at a future and still screw it up.

If nothing else, considering that my DD wants to be a teacher, at least she will be prepared if her first job is in the inner-city! Lord help those parents if it is, as she won't hesitate to give them a piece of her mind. Might be a very short first teaching assigment!

Regarding paying for college, my children have heard many times in their lives that nowhere is it written that mom and dad have to provide an education beyond High School. However, I was not allowed to go to college, and I wanted to go so badly (Old World parents, no need for a girl with a full scholarship to go to college, she just gets married and has kids anyway, let's send the son though, who parties his way through and gets a job with no need for a degree anyway - yes, I am still a bit bitter ). Because of my experience, I wanted very much for my girls to have a chance at college, if that was where life took them. This also meant that I wanted them to go away, not do Community College, because I wanted them to rely on their own selves, not go from our home to their husband's home, never really knowing their capabilities. So, as much as it hurt(s) to have my girls go away, it is also what I wanted for them. So, so hard though!

DH and I have been saving since the girls were little, and we have also been telling them that they must do well in school so that they will receive scholarships. We could not provide what we have without those scholarships. I know there were many tears of frustration as we kept pushing our girls to work to their best ability, but they have been rewarded with honours and now, they are thankful. Neither girl takes school lightly, they both know their parents worked hard, as so did my girls to get their good grades, to have every door open to them as they embark on their adult lives. They also know that if they do not graduate in 4 years, we will no longer support them, either. Since they like home, and they like our support, so far they are taking college seriously.

Now, with my eldest off to Graduate School, fully funded with a stipend, I know she is set and ready for life with her fiance. I also know that my youngest is only a month into college, so with the next 4 years ahead of her, time will tell if she continues on the path to graduation that she is presently on.

I know much can change in the next 4 years, and she might lose her way, but I hope her determination to succeed wins out. As long as she can keep her PMS in check, we should be ok!

 

[PRINCESS VIJA]

Hey guys, the time has gotten away from me and I feel bad for not checking in. I've been wanting to read all of the posts, and I love to comment to all of them. As the days got longer, more posts, I felt overwhelmed. So, I am jumping back in, and on Sunday I hope to have some time to finally catch up.

Some updates!

1. Last weekend was family weekend. we went up for the day and it was GREAT!!!! He showed us around, we watched the dragon boat races and just talked. We took him out to breakfast and then later lunch. During the first part I felt a calm, almost a soothing balm for my soul as I just spent time with him. As we were getting ready to leave, I DID NOT want to part again. It was really hard. But, I did fine, got a little teary in the car on the way home, but LOVED seeing him and having him show us around.

2. He got an official bid to the fraternity and I couldn't be happier!!!! He won't be officially initiated until Spring semester, because they are very strict on grades. Is that how all fraternities are?

3. We have a cruise coming next summer and I've been starting back up on trying to loose weight, that's why I've been so busy and with DD and her HS stuff. But I am happy to report that I am being consistent again!!! FINALLY!

4. Whoever said it (a previous poster)... it is true.... Now that DS is off and DD is doing a lot of HS stuff, DH and I have more time together. We are having a lot of FUN! We are giggling more, spending time geocaching and just enjoying each others company more. VERY NICE!

AND FINALLY

We are going up north tonight to help my parents at the lake cottage and we are picking up DS and he is going to spend the night with us!!!!!

I CAN'T WAIT!!!!!

 

[mom2travel]

Hey guys, the time has gotten away from me and I feel bad for not checking in. I've been wanting to read all of the posts, and I love to comment to all of them. As the days got longer, more posts, I felt overwhelmed. So, I am jumping back in, and on Sunday I hope to have some time to finally catch up.

Some updates!

1. Last weekend was family weekend. we went up for the day and it was GREAT!!!! He showed us around, we watched the dragon boat races and just talked. We took him out to breakfast and then later lunch. During the first part I felt a calm, almost a soothing balm for my soul as I just spent time with him. As we were getting ready to leave, I DID NOT want to part again. It was really hard. But, I did fine, got a little teary in the car on the way home, but LOVED seeing him and having him show us around.

2. He got an official bid to the fraternity and I couldn't be happier!!!! He won't be officially initiated until Spring semester, because they are very strict on grades. Is that how all fraternities are?

3. We have a cruise coming next summer and I've been starting back up on trying to loose weight, that's why I've been so busy and with DD and her HS stuff. But I am happy to report that I am being consistent again!!! FINALLY!

4. Whoever said it (a previous poster)... it is true.... Now that DS is off and DD is doing a lot of HS stuff, DH and I have more time together. We are having a lot of FUN! We are giggling more, spending time geocaching and just enjoying each others company more. VERY NICE!

AND FINALLY

We are going up north tonight to help my parents at the lake cottage and we are picking up DS and he is going to spend the night with us!!!!!

I CAN'T WAIT!!!!!

So glad to hear the happy update

Enjoy your time at the lake with your DS

My DS called today. And we will see him next weekend for parents weekend at his school. I'm looking forward to that! Things here have been busy with work and all DD's activities. I'm doomed when she goes away!

I hope everyone has a great weekend!

 

[HERSEY]

I'm getting packed for my car ride to visit my boy and see what Family weekend is all about.. I not sure if the boy is excited as I am, almost like Christmas.

I watched The Middle and managed not to cry. Good thing it was not a touchy/ feely kind of show

Thank you all for making these last weeks feel less stressful.

 

[RejoyceoverDisney]

I'm getting packed for my car ride to visit my boy and see what Family weekend is all about.. I not sure if the boy is excited as I am, almost like Christmas.

I watched The Middle and managed not to cry. Good thing it was not a touchy/ feely kind of show

Thank you all for making these last weeks feel less stressful.

Have fun and enjoy!!!!

I texted my son this afternoon and told him I would be out his way tomorrow and asked if he needed anything. He replied back "Tissues!".
Allergies/cold got him too this week. I offered to get him home to rest the weekend and he asked to please let him stay tonight. Something must be up with his buddies and gaming tonight.

I told him I would either bring tissues or pick him up later tomorrow afternoon.


I can't believe he wasn't feeling good and didn't tell me. Probably because he knows I would have bugged him to come home. But not really cause I know he had classes and doesn't like to skip them.

Our Family weekend isn't until the end of October this year.
Not sure I will be going as my son seems content to do his own thing and I'll be seeing him that following Monday as he has a dentist appt on Tuesday and we only live about 1/2 hour from the school. I would have thought I would see him more but giving him his space and taking mine. He seems happier to talk to me. I mean text me.