<p>ChoatieMom, if he’s happy as you say, he’ll be exhausted, eat you out of house and home, and be bored and excited to get back to school before you know it. 
I can relate to all of your feelings, our whole family was jumping out of our skin on Saturday waiting for Pelicanchild’s arrival, but now it’s almost like he was never gone. Except he’s bigger, more droll, and has seen an eyeful. Can’t believe we have to return him so quickly. The week is going to fly by!</p>
<p>Yes, he did say that all he wants to do is sleep and torment his cat. I was hoping “hug mom” would be at the top of his list, but I’m afraid you’re right. He will probably just refuel and take off again. He already has plans for the first week of Christmas break (week-long Boy Scout event), so we get the short end of that visit. I can’t believe how independent he is. I guess that is one “observation”.</p>
<p>I’m so happy DS is home! I don’t even mind his loud music coming from his bedroom. DD stays in school abroad until mid Dec. I will be happy to hear her music pounding through the walls too:) Happy holidays everyone.</p>
<p>My D got home yesterday She went to bed last night, and didn’t wake up until noon today - very happy she’s catching up on her sleep! She feels this might be a daily event over her break…and I already cannot wait for the upcoming longer Christmas break. Just so great to have her home - and also know just how very, very happy she is at her school.</p>
<p>I am one of those people that lurks more than I comment. It is great to hear the excitement of those parents whose children are already home. My S and D get home today…my S had to wait an extra day for my D to finish exams. I am counting down the hours for them to get home, and I am busy prepping their favorite meal. Thankfuly they both chose the same meal, otherwise I would have had to flip a coin to see who got treated first. Happy Thanksgiving everyone…</p>
<p>Ours arrives tonight too. I’ve been reflecting on the difference for us between this year and last, when he was SO glad to be home and feeling like school was still not quite where he belonged and this year, when he’s glad to get home for a little rest and peace, but will be completely happy to hop on that plane again. So if some of you lurkers out there still have some kids singing the homesick blues–hang in there.</p>
<p>Thanksgiving Break observations: (she’s not a prep school kid, kinda): we picked her up Saturday. She didn’t want to leave. I think that’s a good sign!</p>
<p>we discovered that she’s on both teams, lt-wt and open. so it turns out she hasn’t slept in 10 weeks because she goes AM and PM to the water.</p>
<p>so it’s pretty great when things workout because it was a long, long, long road to college for her.</p>
<p>My daughter arrived late on Saturday night, after a short-ish international flight and we are thrilled to have her home! However, reentry has been a little strange for her. She is exceedingly happy at school, so no homesick issues. However, I think she had some subconscious notion of how things would be when she got back “home.” (Home in quotes, as you can infer from my name, is a foreign country for us.)
She’s our eldest and I think she is surprised to see that life here has gone on without her. Her siblings are happy to have her home, but they’re also thriving this school year. This realization has been upsetting to her. She even told me she feels like we haven’t missed her! Anyone else with a similar reaction?</p>
<p>Not our first year as BS parents, but first year having both kids gone. An unexpected challenge is trying to make both kids feel equally nurtured. Older sib is used to coming home and being feted and younger is just more gregarious. I’m exhausted. I do wish BSs would revisit this winter schedule. Long range travel for a week at Thanksgiving and then 2-3 weeks only 2-3 weeks later is both exhausting and expensive. Maybe a short Thanksgiving and a longer winter break? Then Thanksgiving could be like any other long weekend and maybe us parents could travel to visit kids instead. Anyone else think this?</p>
<p>I’ve been thinking the same thing wcmom. The travel expense for two breaks so close together is a real strain on us, especially around the holidays. I like your solution. I doubt we’d travel, but it would make it a lot more possible for ds to go home with a friend who lives closer to school. And the kids whose parents live overseas would have a longer break to enjoy with their families. Shall we start a campaign? :)</p>
<p>Let’s! I was scratching my head over that one, too. What are they thinking? I’m so happy DS is home, I’m thinking I’ll just keep him here the extra three weeks. Think BS will miss him? ;)</p>
<p>I think you gals are on to something here. I, too, wish for a long TG weekend and a longer winter break.</p>
<p>Yeah! Love the momentum! We CAN’T be the first ones to think of this. Maybe adcoms will see this and take the idea forward? Anyone else??? :)</p>
<p>Bumping to hopefully shake loose some more Thanksgiving Break observations from 1st year parents.</p>
<p>To answer my own question regarding rigor: Based on grades and comments from teachers/my daughter, her non-HADES school is doing just fine at keeping her challenged and stimulated.</p>
<p>Thanks, @SevenDad. I just dropped DS off at the airport this AM on my way to work. It would have been a lot tougher on me but for the fact that he will return in a couple of weeks for a longer stay. H and I both observed how tired he was–dark circles under his eyes at pickup and very late sleep-ins each day, though he appears re-charged now. We had a lot of time to just lounge and relax and talk and laugh and hug (a lot!). He played with his cat and ate all his favorite foods (leaving tons of ignored T-day leftovers, grrr). But, the biggest observation is his autonomy. It hit me hard how truly little he needs us beyond love and emotional support. Logistically, he appears to be on his ownnavigating airports, making transportation requests, arranging classes, managing his time/courseload, planning sport training over spring break, thinking about summer activities, and taking it all in stride. Hes growing up before our eyes.</p>
<p>As for rigor: From other threads Ive read, some schools seem to take it a bit easy on incoming freshman. I didnt expect that to be the case here as he says hes working hard and is very challenged, but his mid-term grades indicate hes not having any trouble at all. His schedule is tougher this term, so well see if that changes. Overall, we couldnt be more pleased, and he cant say enough about the whole experience. There is just no comparison between BS and our local high school options (35-40 kids per class, including the IB programs). As we all pondered our blessings and what we are thankful for these past few days, BS was near the top of the list. What a gift.</p>
<p>This was also the first time younger sib had to navigate airports and I was definitely more nervous about this than he was. I am again mindful of the role of cell phone and computer technology. I even hover over “Flightaware” as the kids travel. Both kids are thriving and of course are more self-monitoring and self-assured. We also are very grateful, but still very torn. Putting them on planes was torture for us. Luckily, only older/experienced sib had to navigate delayed and canceled flights. One airline even tried to make older sib sleep in a southern state so kid had to apply some newly developing assertiveness skills. Younger sib is very happy where he is, except when he considers how far away we are. The ol’ “think of how it is for the internationals” line doesn’t work :(. Overall, I think they loved being home and wish they could move their schools closer.</p>
<p>Sigh - I envy you. We don’t see D until May. It’s like first year jitters all over again. Only this time she is talking about navigating travel in a foreign country autonomously with friends.</p>
<p>My favorite story was last year when she did her first solo flight with connections. She was nervous about navigating terminals, and finding the school van on the other end. Arrived at the first airport, ran into friends and texted “Now sitting on plane with “X” and “Y” and stealing each other’s fries. I’m fine!” </p>
<p>One parent had a great tip - to have the student the airline know they’re a minor traveling solo so the airlines works a little harder to make sure they aren’t stuck somewhere. When our D is in the states, we make sure any flight connections are in areas where we have friends or family just in case. </p>
<p>A parent directory is also handy in the case you need an emergency person to call for advice.</p>
<p>^^^Great idea about making sure flight changes are in cities where there are friends/family - I will keep that in mind!</p>
<p>Bumping this to see if anyone has Winter break stories/observations to share…</p>
<p>One of my kids came home with an amazing amount of homework. Any one else have that?</p>