<p>So DD surprised us yesterday by coming home. It was so wonderful! With all of the anxiety and stress of the last couple of weeks in the country and with her starting back to school a little less blown away this year than last, she weathered her little storm and just decided that she missed us and wanted to take a break. She did the same thing last February, but it was very much more stress related than this visit. This time we laughed the whole time she was here, we watched TV in bed together and ate Ben and Jerry's. It was so wonderful, my heart is full and I wanted to share it. She is back on the bus to school now, so it was a wonderful 24 hours, give or take. Absolutely a delight.</p>
<p>This year, the second, is so much easier than the first for all of us. It doesn't hurt any longer, and I haven't cried yet. So for all of you first year parents, please know that it gets easier and it gets better. I found that last year each time we said good-bye was really painful, and I cried. This year, it's just fine. Of course we miss her, and she misses us, but it truly doesn't hurt at all. Just wanted you to know...</p>
<p>It is so great she wanted to come home to just see you. She must have missed you. My daughter is coming home next Thu. We are all counting the days.</p>
<p>I know exactly what you mean by this. I'm so glad you had this time with her. It's like the little boost we need to get us through until they're home for Thanksgiving. </p>
<p>Reading your post, brought tears to my eyes. How wonderful for you! I don't think it hurts anymore because that pain you felt (and we all feel that pain the first year), has been replaced by pride. Thanks for sharing.</p>
<p>Sounds great. We had a very pleasant afternoon and evening with our son last Sunday. Google had flown him to New York for the next to last round of their Code Jam contest. He wasn't interested in sightseeing so we picked him up and brought him home. Played some bridge, ate Indian food, he tweaked our computers. He seemed much more talkative than usual. BTW he did pretty well in the contest, though not well enough to make it to the final round where they fly them out to the CA headquarters.</p>
<p>Should this post be required reading for parents of current seniors making decisions about how far from home the will go?
We never could quantify the "not able to go home" factor, but is isn't insignificant. Not sure we would advise D to go to same school given distance, airlines, increased fares, problems with connections, getting back to campus on time, etc.</p>
<p>If you get your kid home, give him or her a hug vicariously from all of us!</p>
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current seniors making decisions about how far from home the will go?
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Well, this was definitely a huge advantage. We did discuss it during The Process, and now that she is 3 1/2 hours away, by bus, or train, it has become a real advantage. Not too close, that we all feel still on top of each other, but not too far away that it is a hindrance to popping home. And, since we live in NYC, she can do the whole thing by herself, because she gets home by subway. So we don't have to deal with planes, traffic, etc. Definitely something to consider.</p>
<p>Glad you had a great time with your D, Franglish. Surprises are great. </p>
<p>S1 and S2 are 2.5 and 4 hours away respectively. Have not seen either of them since since mid-late Aug. They are busy and happy at sch. so don't come home often but it is nice to know that they can come whenever they feel like it(both have trucks at sch) . Next weekend is Fall Break for both. </p>
<p>I'm really looking forward to seeing them but am trying not to get too excited. Lessons of past visits remind me that they are often more eager to get out and see friends than hang out with Mom. That's OK. I'll take what I can get. Five days and counting....</p>
<p>We're in year 3 now, and DS is abroad for this semester. The sadness and bereavement of the first year are now fully replaced with pride and very genuine happiness for him. Yes, it does get better!</p>
<p>I'm just the mom of a rising senior, but that brought a tear to my eye! My S is looking at about 2 hrs away, and also 2 schools that are over 14 hrs away (he really has not intensions of going to either of these, even if they are perfect.</p>
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We're in year 3 now, and DS is abroad for this semester.
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My daughter has decided on England for study abroad next fall. I was pushing for Australia. But she says it will give her the opportunity to visit more with her England Granny and Uncle as well as travel in Europe. And she says I can time my annual visit to get my swimcat fix :rolleyes:</p>
<p>D#1 is coming home for an overnight this weekend- coming up with a friend to see the Lucy exhibit.
Wish I could go but @$20 it is almost a week of groceries. :p
Be great to see her though :)</p>
<p>S called last night on Skype. He's in the country but seemed more like talking to him face to face rather than via cell phone. Nice long chat - 1 hour plus. He only makes it back for a visit once a year or so. This has been the case since he left freshman year (graduated las May, so we've had a few years of this). Miss him indeed but he is doing so many interesting things as are many his age. Bit of envy on my side too ;)</p>
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I'm just the mom of a rising senior, but that brought a tear to my eye!
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Me, too, me, too...</p>
<p>I have an older son, but he didn't go that far away to college.</p>
<p>My high school senior may very well go to our whizbang state college that is only about one hour away, but I also realize he may pick an out-of-state college for some experiences/programs that just wouldn't be the same in-state.</p>
<p>This is a bittersweet year for me here (last debate tournaments, last quiz bowl tournaments, last play, last Mock Trial tournament, etc.). </p>
<p>I will really miss him when he goes to college next year. The selfish part of me hopes he doesn't go miles and states away, but another part of me suspects that the best places for him probably are miles and states away...</p>