[soxmom]

My son is leaving for school on Thurday.

He is my oldest child......my first one off to college.....

Im very proud of him for persevering(sp?) this year. He had a rough
year healthwise and missed sooooo much school. But he graduated
with honors and even got two awards.

Today we were packing and he said"Its sad.....Im leaving..." I told
him how exciting it was and how great its going to be. and he's gone
out with a friend now and Im a puddle of tears and mush.

I almost cant wait until its over so I can move on.

Okay....I feel better now Ive vented. well, a little better.

Next.....my youngest goes off to kindergarten in a week and a half....
stay tuned for more tears.............

thanks for listening...................

[AfterMyNap]

*mopping up floor of thread*

There, there, now, now.

[Blessings2You]

I remember when my oldest kid left for Quincy MA for college. He had turned 18 in February, and had given me nothing but attitude since then. He was driving me CRAZY! I couldn't wait for him to get out there and see what the real world was like, boy oh boy.

He got in the car and headed off down the road, and I sobbed for three days. Kept the door to his room shut because I couldn't bear to see his stuff. Go figure.

I didn't think I'd survive until the first time he came home for the week-end. Then the second time he came home...well, some other time I'll tell you the snake story.

[tovaxin_lab_rat]

Yeah, it's been a tough year for him but exciting that he's made it through his senior year with honors and awards!

Soxmom!

Think of all the fun you'll have living through his first year at college with him! And sharing with us!!

Where is he going?

[Gazelle]

My kids have always been so independent that it had no effect really on me when my baby (the one who just got married) went away to college.

But I remember the last time I held him as he fell asleep in my arms.......


Hang in there.

[yeahbut]

OMG Sox - one in college and one in Kindergarden???

I remember two years ago when I did the same thing with DD - she called and cried the first night on the phone how she wanted to come home, she didn't want to go to college. I was good while I was talking to her, told her she would be fine, how proud I was of her and how she wouldn't want to come home with a month! and then when I finally hung up and hour later I cried and cried!!!

Now tomorrow she starts her first job making kuko bucks!!! and will be moving into her first apartment over the weekend!

[SandyC]

I remember that day very well. I helped Chris get all of his stuff into his new "house" and then we went out to eat. The whole time I am holding it together. Then the time came to go home and leave him there. We just stood there looking around while I desperately tried to find something to fix or clean.

But there was nothing else to do so I said I should go. I quickly hugged him, kissed his cheek and practically ran out the door saying "I love you!"

I cried like a bawling baby all the way back to the house. I even cried to the lawn care guy and anyone who would listen. I was beside myself but pulled it together over time.

It gets easier I promise.

[soxmom]

Thanks guys.....I feel bad for his brother who is going with me to help
move him in. Ill have to keep it together or it will be a long uncomfortable
ride home for the 16 year old.

Nick is going to Umass Dartmouth.....so it is only two hours away.

Im amazed at how time really does fly.....from now on Im gonna try
not to blink.

[Taffy]

Uh....I probably should not tell you this right?

Thinking...

Well...best be prepared!

That first day of college and that first day of kindergarten .....weighing the feelings. I think sending your kid off to college was the worst feeling of all.

At least when you send them off to kindergarten you know that they are coming back that same day to milk and cookies! They can tell you all wide-eyed the big adventure they had that day and the hopes for tomorrow.

The college kid....you wave and hope you did your best. The milk and cookies only to be shared with a sorrowful dog.

But wait..the phone rings...

"Uh....I locked the keys to the apartment in the chem room. What should I do?"

You gag your mouth with a sock to contain the laughter!

All of your ideas are meet with ....

But then the phone rings again....

"I remembered I know a TA who has keys to the Chem building and they went in and got my apartment keys."

See they figure it out!

I still eat cookies with the dog!

[whispers]

Hi 'flood of tears'. That first day is always a 'doozie' . I can remember how I felt but I kept it all in...stupid, eh? I should have cried to anyone who would listen because it does make you feel better!

But what can we do? As one wonderful doctor put it: "you are a mom". I don't know if that was in the job description but there are always those moments when it is hard not to feel or pretend, for the sake of our children, that 'sure, we are cool'. Not!

I also remember the sinking feeling in my stomach when my first one went to kindergarten. He was so little compared to the bus and the bus steps. I was so tempted to help him up those steps but my common sense stopped me.Then he came home happy and all was alright again with the world!