<p>The class of 2013 parents thread is very helpful in communal commiseration. Primarily, though, the thread is populated by mom's. In no way do I intend to disrespect the moms or the very real emotions that are expressed. And, I recognize there are occasional posts by dads there. I was wondering what other dads like me are experiencing.</p>
<p>For me, the past 18 years have been a balancing act, thinking of myself as a father first and being there for my kids as my priority, while also serving as primary breadwinner. With one newly off to college last week and a second approaching quickly, I feel the sands shifting beneath me. It is very unsettling. It's not just missing the kids, it's something more. Now what? is what keeps running through my head.</p>
<p>My youngest is a son and we dropped him off on Saturday. The day flew by and next thing I knew my son and I hugged goodbye. Then he walked into the next building and we walked into our’s for one last session. When I walk into the store where he worked it feels different now. One big change is not having to worry late at night if he is not home yet.</p>
<p>Fall used to mean attending his games and freezing up in the stands. I’ll miss the action but can find other things to occupy my time. My wife and I communicate with him via Skype and see his roommates and him through his laptop. We plan to see him in four weeks for his birthday. That should be an interesting day.</p>
<p>Maybe its because our main “job” has been to get our kids ready for college and the outside world. Once we do that we are “unemployed”. I am lucky in that I have my baking to fall back on now, something I did for the kids, and professionally for a bit. I have a feeling we will all need something creative, something personal to fall back on once the last are off and away.</p>