Son Goes off to College

It's the hardest thing in the world to send them off to college. My first son went off 5 years ago, I bawled all the way home, nothing really prepares you for it.... I was the first one in all my friends to send my child off, so I didn't have anyone to understand, it took me like several weeks before I could even go through his room. An then after a month he was home for the weekend, then there was fall break, and then there was Thanksgiving, then Christmas... it gets easier. Now he's been graduated for a year and back to living at home full-time! My second son went to the Air Force, and once again the ties had to be severed, it was a little easier, then he got sent home on a medical discharge, so he's back living at home again! Now my daughter, who was going to stay home this year and go to Perimeter, now is looking for an apartment closer to the school and once again my heart is breaking, it's a process that has to be done and the way it's supposed to be, but the greiving is normal too!

Hi Ceila, hang in there - I to did this a few years back.
My oldest a son, went to Ga Tech - stayed on campus, but would always show up at home on the weekend with his dirty clothes..... :-) so I always saw him... they grow up fast.
I have raised two - now a grandmother of a little boy. It only gets better..... enjoy that little girl you have because she will be gone before you know it.... I have two out the door and I still have one left at home a 13 year old daughter.... she keeps me busy. Must admit if your son was anything like my two older ones.... you will find yourself hanging out with them a lot - esp after they finish school and start their own families. I'd rather hang with my older kids than with my close friends - I know that sounds crazy but they are such good children and fun to be around. Hang in there and enjoy every day of your life... they always come back to you in different ways. But they have a lot of growing up to do on their own.
K. (Lawrenceville)

Hi C., I've never responded to anything on here, but this one touched my heart. I certainly feel your pain as I am a single mother who just moved her son into a dorm at Kennesaw State University last week and my daughter is a senior at Pace University in New York City. I'm an empty nester at 45 years old and if anyone had told me I'd be ALONE this early in life, I would have never believed it. I do find comfort in knowing that my children are well adjusted, independent young adults. Your son sounds much the same. We are still very important in their lives, but they want to be independent at this stage and show us that they can do this. I took up playing tennis to give me a social release as well as a "stress release". In my mind the best thing we can do as mother's at this point is to allow our children the space to be individuals and show us they CAN do this. They will ALWAYS need us. We are so blessed to have healthy children who are able to go off to college and pursue a career and a life. I think one of the best gifts we can give our children is for them to see that WE are okay with them moving on in their lives. We will always be their mom and they will always remember the warmth, love and security of our homes. Hang in there... it does get better and your little 3.5 year old will certainly keep you busy. A friend..... S.

I knew the feeling since I went thru it...Remember we also left our mothers and home....It is hard but with time you will start feeling better and proud of the good job you did raising him to become a responsible young adult. He is going thru changes himself like making new friends, adapting to college life and if everything goes well he will be having a great time. Keep up with your life and make sure he knows you are there and time will fly and eventually you realize that both of you adapeted well to this new stage on both of your lives. Personally, I left my son on Miami, return to Puerto Rico and two months later I moved to Atlanta following my husband. 2 years went by JA finish his master join the navy and now he is back with us in Atlanta cause he was honorably discharge cause his knees could not stand the stress of the 14 hour day. So as you can see, we all survive everthing that is put in front of us. I am here if you need to talk some more. Have a great day My husbanad does website and he is looking for a grahic artist to help him out when he maskes a website for a cliente/customer Is this up your alley