Kids headed to College Fall 2012 Check-in

[WDWBarb]

but no matter how far away they are they are still away- not there all the time. Mine is moving 5 hours away! But it's better than the 16 hour away school that was in the running.

Exactly! She will no longer be part of my daily life. No more looking forward to her coming home after work (she works most weeknights and weekend days) to chat and laugh. Between work and school, she won't be by to visit much (and we have been SO warned that we are to stay away from campus ... thankfully I have an excuse to go there because of my job... lol).

Five hours would be rough for me.. but 16 would put me in a mental institution!! I feel for you...!!

 

[disneyeveryyear]

I just found this thread.

My oldest, DS18 will be leaving on the 15th. He is attending a state school 3 hours from home. I think he is going to love it. He doesn't have his own car, but there are several kids he knows who do, so I am sure he can get home if he really wants to.

I keep pushing to get the supplies put in one place, taken out of packaging, washed, etc. I figure he thinks that's what Monday and Tuesday are for .

I just paid tuition last Saturday . DS is responsible for $5000 each year, and we are footing the rest. Luckily we started his college fund before he was born, so between that, his contribution and the $ I am making now that I am back at work, he won't be facing any loans from undergrad, but we have told him that grad school is all his.

I am sure it will be difficult having him gone, but he just spent 2 weeks backpacking at Philmont Scout Ranch with no cell service, so I guess if we can survive that, we can survive this!

 

[Buckalew11]

DD leaves Friday morning. I am ... a wreck. I'm trying SO hard to keep it together but I'm finding it almost impossible I can't imagine my daily life without her. From the minute she pulled out the suitcases and started packing, my little dog won't eat (the big one is getting fatter because of it, too). I keep thinking about Saturday morning... without her.

It's like knowing that come Friday, the sun won't shine again.

I know, I know. I'm being terribly dramatic. Her dad and I have done nothing to plan our future ,post-DD (an only child, as you probably summized). We need to get our lives in order and give ourselves something to look forward to .. with just the two of us.

It's just been the three of us for so long.

I'm holding back tears in front of her because as much as I don't want her to leave, I DO want her to leave and start what will be a fabulous and remarkable life. I had SO much fun my freshman year at college. I want her to have incredible experiences as well.

Oh.. and she's going to school about 7 miles away from home. I know, I know!! I said I was being dramatic.

Barb, , you made lol.

I was reading your post thinking, yes, yes, yes, yes! This woman knows exactly how I am feeling. No sunshine... our dogs know something is up also, she is an only so it has always been just the 3 of us. She has grown into a wonderful buddy to me.

And now she is growing up and leaving me! And while I am thrilled for her, I am so sad that this part of our life together is done and it'll never be the same. She is very independent and so ready for this. I, OTOH, am so not ready for this.

Anyway, DD will 6.6 miles down the road and we're at the college often. I run over there, we go to all the football games and basketball games so we'll see her. Home will just not be the same.

 

[JBurke]

I just found this thread.

My oldest, DS18 will be leaving on the 15th. He is attending a state school 3 hours from home. I think he is going to love it. He doesn't have his own car, but there are several kids he knows who do, so I am sure he can get home if he really wants to.

I keep pushing to get the supplies put in one place, taken out of packaging, washed, etc. I figure he thinks that's what Monday and Tuesday are for .

I just paid tuition last Saturday . DS is responsible for $5000 each year, and we are footing the rest. Luckily we started his college fund before he was born, so between that, his contribution and the $ I am making now that I am back at work, he won't be facing any loans from undergrad, but we have told him that grad school is all his.

I am sure it will be difficult having him gone, but he just spent 2 weeks backpacking at Philmont Scout Ranch with no cell service, so I guess if we can survive that, we can survive this!

I see we are both from Illinois. Is your DS attending Illinois State?
That is where my DD is headed to next week.
She is our oldest so this is going to be quite a transition for us. Luckily it is only 2 hours away, far enough for her but not too far for us!

 

[StephMK]

DD leaves Friday morning. I am ... a wreck. I'm trying SO hard to keep it together but I'm finding it almost impossible I can't imagine my daily life without her. From the minute she pulled out the suitcases and started packing, my little dog won't eat (the big one is getting fatter because of it, too). I keep thinking about Saturday morning... without her.

It's like knowing that come Friday, the sun won't shine again.

I know, I know. I'm being terribly dramatic. Her dad and I have done nothing to plan our future ,post-DD (an only child, as you probably summized). We need to get our lives in order and give ourselves something to look forward to .. with just the two of us.

It's just been the three of us for so long.

I'm holding back tears in front of her because as much as I don't want her to leave, I DO want her to leave and start what will be a fabulous and remarkable life. I had SO much fun my freshman year at college. I want her to have incredible experiences as well.

Oh.. and she's going to school about 7 miles away from home. I know, I know!! I said I was being dramatic.

Aw, this post made me laugh & cry!!! DD is only going an hour away so I know it's not bad but still hard to not see her every day. I agree, my college years were the best & I can't wait for her to have that experience too.

Start coming up w/ideas of things you can look forward to so that the sting of her leaving will be off set by something happy! Or we can just all grab some drinks & have a big pity party/celebration when they go.

 

[Southernmiss]

So are any of your kids bringing an iron to school with them?

DS mentioned getting one today. He is planning to go to church and wear his dress clothes while at school, and really probably will.

How does the wrinkle release stuff in the spray bottle work?

 

[zurgswife]

So are any of your kids bringing an iron to school with them?

DS mentioned getting one today. He is planning to go to church and wear his dress clothes while at school, and really probably will.

How does the wrinkle release stuff in the spray bottle work?

Some stuff works ok. Best bet is to understand getting stuff out of the dryer quick. I would check to see if irons are allowed. There are so many restrictions these days about what is allowed to be taken into a dorm room.

 

[WDWBarb]

Barb, , you made lol.

I was reading your post thinking, yes, yes, yes, yes! This woman knows exactly how I am feeling. No sunshine... our dogs know something is up also, she is an only so it has always been just the 3 of us. She has grown into a wonderful buddy to me.

And now she is growing up and leaving me! And while I am thrilled for her, I am so sad that this part of our life together is done and it'll never be the same. She is very independent and so ready for this. I, OTOH, am so not ready for this.

Anyway, DD will 6.6 miles down the road and we're at the college often. I run over there, we go to all the football games and basketball games so we'll see her. Home will just not be the same.

Aw, this post made me laugh & cry!!! DD is only going an hour away so I know it's not bad but still hard to not see her every day. I agree, my college years were the best & I can't wait for her to have that experience too.

Start coming up w/ideas of things you can look forward to so that the sting of her leaving will be off set by something happy! Or we can just all grab some drinks & have a big pity party/celebration when they go.

It's SOOOOO good to have people understand how I feel! I'm being told by everyone around me to suck it up, shut up and go on with my life. OF COURSE, most of these people either a) don't have children or b) have kids so young that they can't even imagine what it feels like to be at this point in your child's life.

She's packing the rest of her stuff now. In almost exactly 12 hours, we'll be moving her stuff into the dorm. This time tomorrow, I'll probably pretty far down into a bottle of wine, hugging the dogs, watching Toy Story 3 and feeling UTTERLY guilty for not considering her toy's feelings about her growing up and moving out.

 

[ctinct]

So are any of your kids bringing an iron to school with them?

DS mentioned getting one today. He is planning to go to church and wear his dress clothes while at school, and really probably will.

How does the wrinkle release stuff in the spray bottle work?

My daughter brought an iron last year. She says she used it a few times, but I know she loves Downy Wrinkle Release.

I take my daughter back next Sunday, and she just found out yesterday her roommate will not be returning to school. She's really stressed out over this, because she did not have a good roommate situation her first year at all, and was looking forward to rooming with people she actually likes and gets along with. She's in an on campus apt. with two double rooms. It's possible the spot in her room may remain empty until the spring, because a lot of students go abroad for the fall semester, but otoh, the school ran into a bit of a jam for this semester when more students enrolled than usual. They had to scramble to convert a few more buildings to housing, so they may still be moving kids into open spots. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for her.

 

[Boston Tea Party]

It's SOOOOO good to have people understand how I feel! I'm being told by everyone around me to suck it up, shut up and go on with my life. OF COURSE, most of these people either a) don't have children or b) have kids so young that they can't even imagine what it feels like to be at this point in your child's life.

She's packing the rest of her stuff now. In almost exactly 12 hours, we'll be moving her stuff into the dorm. This time tomorrow, I'll probably pretty far down into a bottle of wine, hugging the dogs, watching Toy Story 3 and feeling UTTERLY guilty for not considering her toy's feelings about her growing up and moving out.

I am getting the same response. She is leaving on the 18th here. All the way to the west coast from Texas. I feel like I am losing a good friend.

 

[SueInBoston]

Started our shopping last night...4 hours at Ikea and 2 at Target. I was pooped

Ikea has a basic tool kit (hammer, screwdriver, wrench and misc) for $8 and a basic sewing kit for $7

 

[Patience]

My daughter leaves for college on Monday. She will be at a state university about two and a half hours from home. I have been teary-eyed all week. I am going to miss her so much!

 

[pixie dust 112]

2 weeks from today til my daughter moves into her Freshman dorm. My older daughter will be a senior in college this year, she leaves on the 23rd. For all of you first timers, it really does get easier with time! The first semester is really rough for the parent and the kid, but second semester is easier and by Senior year it's so much better. Still a twinge, but you know that you'll all survive.

What will be weird for us this year is being home with only one kid! It is going to be really quiet around here!

 

[Snowflakey]

2 weeks from today my DD will be moving into her freshman dorm and I will be crying

She isn't too far but to me it could be across the country - she is still gone.

I'm so excited for her but sad for the loss around our home. She is such an amazing young woman who brings such joy to DH and myself. Not to mention she is so darn funny around home

Good news last night is she found out she got the girl she requested as a roommate just the two of them in a room They met at the accepted student day and just hit it off so I couldn't be happier!

 

[Buckalew11]

It's SOOOOO good to have people understand how I feel! I'm being told by everyone around me to suck it up, shut up and go on with my life. OF COURSE, most of these people either a) don't have children or b) have kids so young that they can't even imagine what it feels like to be at this point in your child's life.

She's packing the rest of her stuff now. In almost exactly 12 hours, we'll be moving her stuff into the dorm. This time tomorrow, I'll probably pretty far down into a bottle of wine, hugging the dogs, watching Toy Story 3 and feeling UTTERLY guilty for not considering her toy's feelings about her growing up and moving out.

I bawled through Toy Story 3. She did take 2 teddy bears with her.

BTW, she is IN. Happy today and I am glad it is over.

I am getting the same response. She is leaving on the 18th here. All the way to the west coast from Texas. I feel like I am losing a good friend.

I'm afraid I had no idea the emotions a parent goes through when their kids moves off to college. Boy do I now. And the thought of Texas to California? Ugh! We know a girl moving from TN out to California. Many, many hugs. That is how I feel too--like my friend is gone. (& just 6.6 miles down the road!)

My daughter leaves for college on Monday. She will be at a state university about two and a half hours from home. I have been teary-eyed all week. I am going to miss her so much!

The 48 hours before my daughter moved in, I thought was the worst. Just the waiting to do the deed. She was so sweet to me before leaving--cooked me dinner after work Wednesday, sat on the couch and watched the ladies soccer game yesterday and even let me snuggle close. She tolerated me quite well.

 

[Chelley00]

The 48 hours before my daughter moved in, I thought was the worst. Just the waiting to do the deed. She was so sweet to me before leaving--cooked me dinner after work Wednesday, sat on the couch and watched the ladies soccer game yesterday and even let me snuggle close. She tolerated me quite well.

Be glad you have a girl. My son is so anti-Mom freaking out college he actually took off and went on vacation 3 hours from home, only coming back late Monday night to grab his stuff and sleep here one night before we move him in on Tuesday

 

[Robinrs]

Be glad you have a girl. My son is so anti-Mom freaking out college he actually took off and went on vacation 3 hours from home, only coming back late Monday night to grab his stuff and sleep here one night before we move him in on Tuesday

I always thought it was the girls who were moody. So glad to hear yours is so sweet, Brenda.

I'm still waiting for that GOLDEN day that my son thinks I'm the anti-Christ and thinks it's NOT cool to hang out with Mom...like everyone told me he would do at 13 and he's 19!

 

[java]

Spent this morning shopping with DS. Just getting some jeans and a pillow. But it was a funny trip- a comedy of errors happened and his laugh. Oh his laugh. That is what I will miss the most. We laughed the morning away. Now I am sitting here crying. stupid hormones.

 

[Buckalew11]

I always thought it was the girls who were moody. So glad to hear yours is so sweet, Brenda.

I'm still waiting for that GOLDEN day that my son thinks I'm the anti-Christ and thinks it's NOT cool to hang out with Mom...like everyone told me he would do at 13 and he's 19!

Robin, I've waited for her to go through all that too and it never happened. I figured when we were together 24/7 for 4 yrs. of homeschooling it might get bad but it never did. I'm so grateful that she is such a wonderful person to be around.

That'll never happen with Michael. Remember Helen? How many little boys would notice Helen? 1 in 1000, probably. I hope he uses that part of himself/personality in whatever he chooses to do with his life. He'll definitely need to satisfy his need for giving compassion.

Spent this morning shopping with DS. Just getting some jeans and a pillow. But it was a funny trip- a comedy of errors happened and his laugh. Oh his laugh. That is what I will miss the most. We laughed the morning away. Now I am sitting here crying. stupid hormones.

I still have not cried. But that's not to say I will not...

I'll miss all the laughs too. We laughed a lot and laughing is good for the soul. I'll have to do something about that.



My DH called from work today and he said, "I'm so wiped out. Moving her in was so emotionally hard. Boy this empty nest sucks, doesn't it?"

Yes, yes it does. *sigh*

It is now 5:00 on Friday and she's not going to walk in that door...

 

[LisaR]

Oh, good God, what is wrong with me? I just discovered this thread and I am reading it and choking up way more than I should. Mine doesn't leave for one full year! If I am this bad now, I can't imagine what I will be like this time next year. It won't be pretty. Good luck to all of you going through this. It is so hard letting them grow up even though we all know it is the right thing to do.