Commiserate with me.... My son is leaving next Friday for university.... :'(

[DiamondLil]

I have an 18 year old son leaving next week for university. I've had all summer to prepare for it, but I'm not. I'm gonna miss him so bad, but I am trying to keep it to myself (dear son doesn't need any additional stress - hes kind of on the fence (excited, then anxious about being on his own)).

I know its a great experience for him, and I am excited for him. I just wanted to start the thread so all us moms (and dads) can come together to share the joy and sadness with our kids leaving home for school. Kind of like a virtual group hug we can all share. Maybe some stories or nuggets of advice we, and our children, can use in this stage of our lives.

Any other moms and/or dads feeling the strain on the heart strings?

[Natalka]

Oh, Lil, I feel for you, though I'm not going through it. Our son is able to stay at home here, go to school, and work through apprenticeship.

How far away is he going? Is he able to come home easily, or you go there?

I actually feel it's so much better now on families when someone moves away - there are cheap phonecalls, emails, FB, Skype... so many amazing ways to stay in touch!

Best thing for you to focus on: you've raised him amazingly well, and he'll do great!

When I went away to university at 17, back in the olden days, long distance phonecalls were crazy expensive, and we wrote snail mail. No car, so going home was by bus - and not often, because it was expensive.

Enjoy your time with him!

[MrsSunshine]

oh Lil.. be proud of that. thats awesome.. im counting the days til ours go...they both start college in a week or so.. its only down the road.. some days i wish it was farther some days..
don't worry hun.. before you know it he'll be back home..

[Natalka]

"If you would have your son to walk honorably through the world, you must not attempt to clear the stones from his path, but teach him to walk firmly over them - not insist upon leading him by the hand, but let him learn to go alone." ~ Anne Bronte



This is a great article

http://www.independent.co.uk/student...y-2338032.html

[Jina]

Everytime I listen to this song I think of the day my son will leave. It's a French song and the lyrics are beautiful. The singer wrote the song for his son who was leaving the family home.

[Patty Smyth]

[Jina]

lol Patty
I cry too everytime

[Patty Smyth]

Mine is 17 but he has to go to pre-university(CEGEP) in Quebec. Hopefully he will choose a university in town

[avoncallingu]

Hugs to you!

[MortgageQueen]

Wow, I never had kids but truly appreciate what you must go through.
That sweet little life you brought into the world, nurtured and sacrificed for is starting a life separate from yours. . . .but not ever completely. As he makes every new decision, he'll subconsciously think of you and what you'd think.
Sometimes his youthful immaturity will allow him to make different decisions then you would, other times he'll make independent decisions that perhaps you never would have thought of. . . . but all in all, he is a walking reflection of You.
You will walk with him wherever he goes, nudging his conscience and molding many of his steps. . .yet not all, as he is his own person.
This is another phase of life. . .a drama unfolding before you with surprises, disappointments, joys, worries and unbelievable moments of pride. Not an easy journey for sure. But you can choose to live in the moment alongside him or fret over the unknown future or the poignant past. Tough to choose, but I'm betting your training and life lessons will make the journey a great one for both of you. . .
Best wishes!

[DiamondLil]

Thank you all for the shoulders and the humor. We are in Miramichi New Brunswick, and he is going to Acadia in Wolfville Nova Scotia. His choice, and we support him. He was accepted to UNB in Fredericton, but decided for himself he wants to go to Acadia. Probably for the best because if he went to a university thats only 2 hours away, he would be home friday evening until sunday evening/monday morning. But I am gonna miss him terribly. Even typing and thinking about this is putting a knot in my stomach.

[DiamondLil]

LOL - me next Saturday when DS is all settled in his dorm.... Thank God my 16 y/o DD wants to do a shopping trip in Halifax - that will force me to focus on something else other than DS...

[shellylynn39]

I can tell you , I know exactly what you are going through. Last September my two went off to post -secondary. In the first week I ate 10 family sized chocolate bars.......then the next 2 weeks I lived on toast and cheese whiz. I raised them since they were 4 and 6 on my own................and I was absolutely lost without them. I decided on that first day of school last September.....that next year I would be returning to school. I just had to figure out what I wanted to be when I "grew up". So, it was a rough ride for awhile.............but, I can say I have come full circle and this September 9th I will be starting school taking Community Social Services. I want to help people going through separation and divorce. All 3 of us will be going to school this September.

[DiamondLil]

I know it will get easier. I had a difficult time when I first left home for university when I was his age. But it did get easier, for me and my parents, as time went on. I remember back then my mom couldnt come with us because she was so upset. Now the shoes on the other foot, and I'm missing my son already, and hes still at home now... Sad or what - LOL!!! I know it will be tough, but it is necessary. I dont want to bring up a man-child and have him living in my basement playing Xbox in his 20's, 30's and heaven forbid 40's.

[MrsSunshine]

LOL at LIl.. no kidding. thats what my neighbor has. and her grandson.. really.. when we commented we couldn't wait until they leave home. she was like.. oh wait until they come back to live with ya.. NOT.

anyway.. Lil i hope time passes quickly for you..
and Shelly.. good for you.. im thinking of upgrading my life as well.. just no idea how.