Having a very hard time with DS going off to college

[nancygirl1]

count me in on one of the sad mom's. DS is enjoying spring break... at school. Didn't want to come home. Says he can't study at home and has a lot he has to do.

We did go see him yesterday and that was very nice, I just like having him home better.

On the flip side, he did get me hooked on Clash of clans, and I am in his clan. (an online multiplayer game). All his friends thought it was funny that I joined up! It does make me giggle, but boy do I spend too much time building up my clan! the things we do to stay connected to our kids

We just know that there's going to come a time when they don't want to come home for breaks anymore or maybe come home a day or two. It certainly doesn't make it any easier when it happens.

One of mine went to Georgia over break with his ultimate Frisbee team for a tournament. His twin brother came home for the first weekend of break and went back to school for the rest. He lives in an apt. off campus and he said there was more to do there. And my third, even though he lives at home, was gone to New York for a few days with some friends. It was quieter here than I expected. They're growing up.

 

[mom2rtk]

count me in on one of the sad mom's. DS is enjoying spring break... at school. Didn't want to come home. Says he can't study at home and has a lot he has to do.

We did go see him yesterday and that was very nice, I just like having him home better.

On the flip side, he did get me hooked on Clash of clans, and I am in his clan. (an online multiplayer game). All his friends thought it was funny that I joined up! It does make me giggle, but boy do I spend too much time building up my clan! the things we do to stay connected to our kids

That's so hard. But I'm sure you know to be proud that he made the right choice since he has so much to do. I'm glad you got to go visit.

And good for you doing what you have to do to connect while he's gone. I haven't joined the gaming world yet, but I have watched a few professional basketball and college football games I wouldn't have watched a year ago!

 

[Katy Belle]

It makes me sad that so many of you didn't get to spend Spring break with your kiddos!!! Big Guy met us at the airport and the whole family spent 8 nights at Disney World! Had SUCH a great time. Very likely our last vacation with him for a long time. I can see that next Spring Break he will probably make other plans.

The kids were getting tired of me making them get up early. So one evening I told them they could sleep in, just be in MK by 11:30. I was leaving the room by 7:45. If anyone wanted to come with me, they could, but I would be doing FantasyLand. Big Guy said he was coming with me, and he did! My youngest came too, so just DH and DS16 slept in. But we had such a great time. At the end of the vacation he said that morning was his favorite part!

He might come home this weekend. There is a concert that he wants to go to with DS16. Its actually in a town exactly half way, so they might just meet there.

Do your kids get any days off for Easter? Big Guy doesn't get any. And neither do my younger kids. Makes it impossible for us to visit our family out of state.

Hope its warming up for all of you!
Katy

 

[mom2rtk]

It makes me sad that so many of you didn't get to spend Spring break with your kiddos!!! Big Guy met us at the airport and the whole family spent 8 nights at Disney World! Had SUCH a great time. Very likely our last vacation with him for a long time. I can see that next Spring Break he will probably make other plans.

The kids were getting tired of me making them get up early. So one evening I told them they could sleep in, just be in MK by 11:30. I was leaving the room by 7:45. If anyone wanted to come with me, they could, but I would be doing FantasyLand. Big Guy said he was coming with me, and he did! My youngest came too, so just DH and DS16 slept in. But we had such a great time. At the end of the vacation he said that morning was his favorite part!

He might come home this weekend. There is a concert that he wants to go to with DS16. Its actually in a town exactly half way, so they might just meet there.

Do your kids get any days off for Easter? Big Guy doesn't get any. And neither do my younger kids. Makes it impossible for us to visit our family out of state.

Hope its warming up for all of you!
Katy

I bet that morning was your favorite part too! What a great memory that must be!

DS doesn't get any days for Easter. I'm hoping his friend with a car decides to come home. If he doesn't we might do our tag team deal of picking him up Friday and taking him back early Monday. I just think a lot of his friends will go home that weekend. And it's hard enough being away on a holiday without being all alone. I do remember being sad to be away from my family on Easter that first year. Everything is just so family-focused that weekend it seemed odd to be away.

 

[cabanafrau]

It makes me sad that so many of you didn't get to spend Spring break with your kiddos!!! Big Guy met us at the airport and the whole family spent 8 nights at Disney World! Had SUCH a great time. Very likely our last vacation with him for a long time. I can see that next Spring Break he will probably make other plans.

The kids were getting tired of me making them get up early. So one evening I told them they could sleep in, just be in MK by 11:30. I was leaving the room by 7:45. If anyone wanted to come with me, they could, but I would be doing FantasyLand. Big Guy said he was coming with me, and he did! My youngest came too, so just DH and DS16 slept in. But we had such a great time. At the end of the vacation he said that morning was his favorite part!

He might come home this weekend. There is a concert that he wants to go to with DS16. Its actually in a town exactly half way, so they might just meet there.

Do your kids get any days off for Easter? Big Guy doesn't get any. And neither do my younger kids. Makes it impossible for us to visit our family out of state.

Hope its warming up for all of you!
Katy

Incredibly lucky that the HS & college spring breaks lined up. We're even having difficulties with trying to plan a summer vacation. We managed 3 days at WDW last summer.

My college DD was home for slightly more than 24 hours on her spring break because of her job, which is also why she's at school all summer as well. Can't complain, as it's turned out she's technically working in her future field and has been since her freshman year. Very lucky break for her.

My HS DD has Good Friday off, but that's it. Not sure how I'm handling Easter dinner at this point. Last year was an enormous hassle & we had to drive DD back to school since she wasn't allowed a car as a freshman. I'm frustrated and exhausted trying to figure out what I'm going to do.

 

[Katy Belle]

We have no family here for Easter. I'm thinking maybe we will drive to DS's college town and have lunch with him at a restaurant. Or we could meet half way, in the big city. I feel a little better now that I've thought about it for a bit.

 

[clh2]

DD will be renting a house next year - lease was signed in September.

One of the girls has decided to back out of the lease. If it is "C" - perhaps they will be better off with a different roommate, if they can find one! If it was "A" or "J", then "C" will get squeamish and will back out too.

Hope this all works out OK.

YIPPEE SKIPPEE!

Glad we did not need to cosign the lease.

 

[mom2rtk]

DD will be renting a house next year - lease was signed in September.

One of the girls has decided to back out of the lease. If it is "C" - perhaps they will be better off with a different roommate, if they can find one! If it was "A" or "J", then "C" will get squeamish and will back out too.

Hope this all works out OK.

YIPPEE SKIPPEE!

Glad we did not need to cosign the lease.

Oh man. Sounds like uncertainty is just part of the deal from here forward. Sigh. I'd be pretty about not having cosigned the lease too.

My DS fills out the online form to enter the lottery (to stay in his current dorm) when he's back Sunday night. He's supposed to know a week later. That's when the real scramble begins.

Some of the housing options are already gone. They decided to convert 2 locations to a "connections community" where they had to sign up in groups of 7-13 with a theme. Oy. I think that really puts the current freshmen at a disadvantage. He doesn't know enough kids well enough yet to put together a housing group like that. He has a nice core group of about 4 friends, but not enough for that. So strike one. Fingers crossed for the next step.

 

[LisaR]

DD was telling me about a sophomore she knows. He found two buddies to go in on an off campus apartment for their sophomore year. Everything was all set until about 2 weeks before the start of the new semester. One guy dropped out because his dad was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Certainly understandable. The second guy dropped out without any warning or explanation. So now the one guy has a three bedroom apartment that he is entirely responsible for! Thankfully, he was able to find a couple other guys and it all worked out, but talk about nerve-wracking! I just realized that story probably wasn't comforting to all of you that are worried about housing. Oops! But hey, it all worked out so there is that!

 

[mom2rtk]

DD was telling me about a sophomore she knows. He found two buddies to go in on an off campus apartment for their sophomore year. Everything was all set until about 2 weeks before the start of the new semester. One guy dropped out because his dad was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Certainly understandable. The second guy dropped out without any warning or explanation. So now the one guy has a three bedroom apartment that he is entirely responsible for! Thankfully, he was able to find a couple other guys and it all worked out, but talk about nerve-wracking! I just realized that story probably wasn't comforting to all of you that are worried about housing. Oops! But hey, it all worked out so there is that!

LOL, actually that gave me faith that sometimes last minute housing openings can be found.

 

[clh2]

DD was telling me about a sophomore she knows. He found two buddies to go in on an off campus apartment for their sophomore year. Everything was all set until about 2 weeks before the start of the new semester. One guy dropped out because his dad was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Certainly understandable. The second guy dropped out without any warning or explanation. So now the one guy has a three bedroom apartment that he is entirely responsible for! Thankfully, he was able to find a couple other guys and it all worked out, but talk about nerve-wracking! I just realized that story probably wasn't comforting to all of you that are worried about housing. Oops! But hey, it all worked out so there is that!

Wow - my story is sounding really tame after looking at yours! DD filled us in on a few more details. The person who wants out was given a tremendous opportunity for early enrollment into a master's program at a different college. (Don't ask - I do not know how you get into a master's program without an undergrad degree!) This person is taking responsibility for finding a new roommate - but asked if any of the remaining girls knew anyone as well. The person's email was very specific that she knows she is responsible for her share of the lease. DD is not at all concerned and believes that they will find a suitable housemate.

All 4 on the lease are in sororities (3 in one, and DD in a different one) so that is one pretty big word-of-mouth source. Plus - with the current tenants, 3 are graduating, and one isn't, so they are going to connect up with the remaining person to see if she is interested. And - DD works in the orientation office, and DD is going to let one of the staff people there know they are looking for a roommate as well if a transfer student is coming in.

It will all work out!

UPDATE: DD put a message on facebook, and one of the commuter students who went on the Art study abroad trip (although DD was in art appreciation, and this other girl was in some sort of advanced art class) messaged her back. So - while this is not a done deal by any means yet, appears that at least one person is interested! DD was also on the trip with "J" who also met this new person on the trip.

 

[clh2]

So, my DH did something this week at work, that caused a new rule to be made.

I tried to mail a care package to DD. The UPS Store told me that the cost to mail the package was going to be $13 plus change. When I picked my jaw up off the floor, I took my package and left.

DH took it to his work, (DH is new at this job, so, knew he could ship it from work, it just didn't dawn on us that we should ship it from there in the first place.).

Cost to ship from his work was $4.88.

DD received her BBWCC two days later.

So, upon hearing that DD received her package, DH circles back with the shipping guys, and thanked them for their help and that our DD received the Banana Bread With Chocolate Chips just fine.

So-the new rule??? The shipping guys want some the next time!

 

[LisaR]

Such a happy day:

THE ROOMMATE HAS MOVED OUT!!!!!

The remaining three weeks of the semester are going to be such happy times for DD and her other roommate. She said she left because she was offered a job as a masseuse in Indiana. One really does have to wonder what type of masseuse she will be based on her past.

 

[mom2rtk]

Such a happy day:

THE ROOMMATE HAS MOVED OUT!!!!!

The remaining three weeks of the semester are going to be such happy times for DD and her other roommate. She said she left because she was offered a job as a masseuse in Indiana. One really does have to wonder what type of masseuse she will be based on her past.

What awesome news! So glad this is now part of your daughter's past!

We got good news too. DS and his roomie get to stay in their same dorm next year! Big sigh of relief here.

 

[Katy Belle]

Such a happy day:

THE ROOMMATE HAS MOVED OUT!!!!!

The remaining three weeks of the semester are going to be such happy times for DD and her other roommate. She said she left because she was offered a job as a masseuse in Indiana. One really does have to wonder what type of masseuse she will be based on her past.

Ok...not funny...but funny! Happy for your DD. Should be nice and calm for Finals!

 

[clh2]

Such a happy day:

THE ROOMMATE HAS MOVED OUT!!!!!

The remaining three weeks of the semester are going to be such happy times for DD and her other roommate. She said she left because she was offered a job as a masseuse in Indiana. One really does have to wonder what type of masseuse she will be based on her past.

Yeah!!!

 

[clh2]

Switching topics to Easter baskets. We will be meeting DD on Sunday(4/13) between here and school for her birthday, so she is getting her birthday presents this weekend.

Then, DD is coming home over Easter weekend. I have no idea what to give her for Easter. If I was mailing something, I would send something for her boyfriend, I will probably send a little something for him too.


So-I am wondering what you all are doing for your kids Easter baskets?

Thanks!

 

[LisaR]

What awesome news! So glad this is now part of your daughter's past!

We got good news too. DS and his roomie get to stay in their same dorm next year! Big sigh of relief here.

That's great!!

 

[Beachbumpirates]

Hard to believe we are in the home stretch - and we all made it!! LisaR - so glad it has worked out and the roommate is gone! We visited DD this past weekend and discovered her rotten first roommate will be transferring in the Fall. Very welcome news!

Regarding Easter Baskets I want to share with you what I hosted a few weeks back. I invited 10 mom friends who all have kids in college (most Freshman) over for a care package party! Since we all know each others kids this was a welcome idea. We each put together 11 Easter themed 'packages' - one for each kid. I grabbed the It Fits It Ships boxes from the post office, a bunch of Easter grass and a box of note cards. We set our piles of goodies out and each of us assembled a care package box to send to our kid. Everyone took theirs home and was responsible for shipping to their own kid. They turned out absolutely fantastic! Love how creative some are thanks to Pinterest. We had Easter socks, smores w/Peeps, candy and more. We each wrote something on the notecards and included those also. My DD should be receiving hers tomorrow and I cannot wait to hear what she thinks! We are planning to do a Back to School, Halloween and Valentine's Day box now too!

Happy Easter all! Soon our kiddos will be home for summer!

 

[mom2rtk]

Hard to believe we are in the home stretch - and we all made it!! LisaR - so glad it has worked out and the roommate is gone! We visited DD this past weekend and discovered her rotten first roommate will be transferring in the Fall. Very welcome news!

Regarding Easter Baskets I want to share with you what I hosted a few weeks back. I invited 10 mom friends who all have kids in college (most Freshman) over for a care package party! Since we all know each others kids this was a welcome idea. We each put together 11 Easter themed 'packages' - one for each kid. I grabbed the It Fits It Ships boxes from the post office, a bunch of Easter grass and a box of note cards. We set our piles of goodies out and each of us assembled a care package box to send to our kid. Everyone took theirs home and was responsible for shipping to their own kid. They turned out absolutely fantastic! Love how creative some are thanks to Pinterest. We had Easter socks, smores w/Peeps, candy and more. We each wrote something on the notecards and included those also. My DD should be receiving hers tomorrow and I cannot wait to hear what she thinks! We are planning to do a Back to School, Halloween and Valentine's Day box now too!

Happy Easter all! Soon our kiddos will be home for summer!

Awww, that sounds so cool! What sort of stuff did you put in your care boxes?

I'm thinking we might try to get DS home for Easter weekend. His older brother turns 21 that week, and it would be nice if we could all celebrate together. I have my fingers crossed someone will be coming home he can ride with. Otherwise we might have to get him and take him back one last time.