The strangest thing for me this week, the first 'empty nest' week for me, was realizing that I didn't know what day of the week it was...the days of the week was so defined by whatever evening activities were going on for my son. Anyway, I sent off my first 'care' package and my son was thrilled to get it. He got sick this week and was very proud to tell me all about his first experience going to the health clinic on campus and getting his own prescription.

Bless your heart....but how lucky your kids are to have a mother who DOES worry about them!!!

It's OK to mourn for awhile. Feel the emotions and understand them. When you're ready you'll find that you have a life of your own and you can do more for yourself...enjoy a new found freedom. Time will take care of you and them;-)

Oh Sandy. Wish there was something I could do to perk you up! Do you remember how you coped the first year you had two children in elementary school? Maybe thinking back to that time will help. I'm sure that was very stressful and difficult at first, too, but you found your new rhythm before long... right?

Hey, I recognize that dorm!! It's a good one, I think she'll really enjoy being there. If you need me to pop over and check up on her for you, let me know!!

These feelings will soon be followed by a wonderful sense of freedom: time to do your own thing, without having to worry about someone else's schedule! An empty nest can be a wonderful thing!

We now have a 4-bedroom home with only 2 bedrooms. We also have my studio and his office. Love it!

Yeah. I find that I do a lot of moping in the weeks prior to the move. Right before, I get caught up in the excitement -- kind of a might-as-well-roll-with-it thing, 'cuz it's happenin' whether I want it to or not. Then, even though it's only 30 miles away, I think I'll have a little cry on the way home.

I have to remember that her happiness and excitement is not over leaving home, it's about new beginnings. Something like that...

My son just started his junior year at college in Vermont. He wouldn't even let us help move him back in!! Off he went with his Subaru chock full of stuff.
To boot, yesterday was his 20th birthday.. so no cake and candles with my one and only kid!! :(

but he has turned into a wonderful young man who is very responsible and is a good student. I guess I can't ask for more than that!!! But they sure do grow up fast

I'm going through the same thing right now - we dropped off my son this weekend, and I've been a bit mopey ever since. You verbalized my feelings exactly - hard to let go after 18 years, but in the end, its the right thing to do. Care packages do help - I already sent him one and it did make me feel better. Hang in there!

Big hug!!!

You did a very good job of writing what I also felt when taking my daughter to college. Norma gives some very good advice, I have spent alot of time sending care packages just so I can still feel needed and be a part of her everyday life.
As weird as it sounds you have to hope that your daughter does not spend a lot of time calling home and checking in with you. This will mean that she is busy and happily going about campus life, becoming well adjusted and making new friends.
Be proud of her and proud of yourself, you raised a good daughter and have done the hardest thing by letting her grow and become an adult.
Pray that she does not come home and move you to a prefab in the back yard while she takes over the main house like Dave's brother.
(Prepare yourself, I found it harder to have my daughter leave after the first Christmas break spent at home than it was taking her to school in the fall.)

I know this may sound totally morbid, but after losing my own mother when she was only 45 I just hope I live until I'm old enough to send my kids off to college!

Sniff. Sniff. I'm off to lock my kids in their rooms and stop time :-)

Norma's pretty smart. Listen to her.

Neither of my 2 older kids left home to go to college. They lived here while they finished schooling. And now - sob!! - this year, they've moved into their own apartments. One is an hour away, the other only about 20 minutes, but that doesn't change missing that good morning, have a good day or the chat at the end of the day when they came home. And no more hey, feel like running out for an ice cream? Want to go see a movie? Or did you hear.... I miss them!!! And having one still living here doesn't change that. Letting go - bah!!!

I bet she's missing you too. You could send her some post cards with a quick note or a joke. She'll love the mail and you'll be connecting.
Try not to think of it as an empty nest. Think of it as a second honeymoon;)

Ok, a little reality check here: My brother still lives at hime with my mom. Well, he has a wife and 4 kids and three foster kids, and two or three grand kids! He moved mom into a prefab home that was dropped into the back yard because the house wasn't big enough for them all. He's 50. And STILL lives at home. And, did I mention he was MARRIED and has KIDS?
Sometimes letting go is a good thing.

If I was close enough I'd come over and we could have a good crying party, you and I! You summed up all my feelings very well. It's been 3 1/2 weeks since Alex (my Baby Girl) went off to college and it's still hurting! How can someone that's been around for 18 years be missed so much? Oh, and tell Bethany to tie down everything she owns. We weren't even home yet from leaving her dorm and she called to let us know her bike was stolen. Today she told me her roommate/best friends bike SEAT was stolen! College life brings out the worst in some, the best in others.
Hang in there kid. We shall overcome! (I hope).
Sheri in GA

Oops, I forgot, she moved back home while she finishes college and I'm glad she's here. She's grown up a lot and we get along pretty well now.

My daughter lived with my Mom the first 2 years and one of those semesters she was in Australia. I missed her hugely when she was overseas because I wasn't in the same time zone and wasn't close enough to drive over and give her a hug. The good news? I learned how to IM so we were able to chat pretty regularly. Thank goodness for email, etc.

Wow, you and Norma are truly the best! My Mom didn't feel this way about me... either that or she never let on. Not looking for pity! I'm just saying. :)

I just thought of another BIG coping mechanism I've developed. Get a copy of her class schedule, and post it somewhere where you can check it throughout the day. I find it very comforting to be able to say, "Oh, Abigail is in Comparative Lit right now." It makes you feel more connected.

You know, I'm pretty practiced at this, but I still have a good mope every single time. We linger as long as we can on move-in day, and we drive away with a pall over the car, and then I proceed to have my longer-term mope at home.

Anyone who doesn't feel that way must be a very cold and selfish person indeed. And yes, there are unfortunately some of those around. I feel so sorry for their children.

Care packages! Care packages! They're not just for the kids -- they are for us, too. It's like the women at a funeral -- keeping busy keeps us on an even keel -- and picking out the items (be it only newspaper clippings or whatever) for a care package has some of the same effect. Send her cold remedies or vitamins or pieces of candy and microwave popcorn and homemade brownies and some new underwear or dryer sheets or those silly bottles of little-kids' bubbles. It doesn't matter what it is -- It makes a caring mother feel useful, and even if it's just for a minute, it makes the kids feel happy, too. :)