I know it has to be awful and happy at the same time. My son will be off to college in the next two years I don’t look forward to it. {{{HUGS}}} for you @ANef_is_Enuf .

Oh, dear, I probably shouldn’t weigh in here as it was not an issue for me. KatawaGrey went to school 20 miles away, and even though she lived on campus, I saw her a lot. I didn’t even miss her living here, because I could then not worry about what time to eat or feeding her properly and stuff. The reign of Selfish Toof had begun!

I have two kids in college, both very far away. Colleges these days are extremely nurturing and supportive. They really keep an eye on freshmen, looking out for signs of depression, offering tons of ice-breaking activities, etc.

Whatever apprehensions we had about dropping our first off at school were quickly dispelled by seeing how she instantly started socializing with all of the other freshies moving in. We knew right then that all would be well.

Thank goodness for Skype. Seriously, it’s wonderful to be able not only to talk to the kids regularly, but to actually see them. Parents can tell so much about how their kids are doing by those little subtle expressions. Frankly, even though my oldest is now an ocean away, we Skype almost daily and I feel almost as in touch as when she was at home.

@thorninmud yeah, we are setting up a Skype, too… and she made me promise to cook Sunday dinners “every week,” though I doubt she’ll actually be coming home every week. It really won’t be bad, she’s a very smart and ambitious girl. I think I’m just a little bit stunned because it is new. She still asks people to rub her belly when she’s full so that she can take a nap, for Pete’s sake. lol.
I also love that she has made a lot of friends at her school via Facebook, before even starting school. It’s nice the way that is set up.

@ANef_is_Enuf I know what you mean. We too kept thinking about all of our daughter’s “little girl” aspects, worrying about what that said about her readiness. But really, it meant nothing at all. She was ready and then some. That said, even now as she’s finishing up her Master’s, she still sleeps with her teddy bear.

@thorninmud thanks, that made me feel heaps better.

I just sent my last one out to college and I miss him terribly. However, I think the experience will be good for him.
Trust the person that you raised, she’ll likely do well…..

I felt so alone!! I’m single and so, thank gawd for my cat! and work and wine. I talked every other day or so on the phone. I learned to like it, though. And then visits were great. All the kids have moved home at different times. Now my youngest is home but thinking of moving to Vancouver, so I’ll have to get used to being alone again.

@faye : KatawaGrey has talked of moving out of state and I’m a bit…undone. I get it, she should go out and have her own life, but it will seriously curtail our spontaneous lunches!

@JilltheTooth Spontaneity is exactly it. Like watching old movies, having ice cream at midnight, going to Denny’s, lots of little things!

@faye : Well, she’s still here, now, and coming over to ride out Irene with me probably because I have better snacks! and that’s a good thing…