<p>@jdewey, How is your child doing? I’m new to this and have the first-year-parent jitters.</p>
<p>Very well considering. The workload has been a constant test but she seems to be doing well, discovering her stride with the pace. First reports were strong… Mostly I am proud of how much composure she has gained in herself these last few months. I hear it in her voice. The peaks and valleys of daily accomplishments have been confusing for me at times, but we are learning how to be supportive remotely. This means trusting how well things are going and letting her vent when needed. I’m not supposed to fix things I’m supposed to listen. When I felt she needed support I banged some drums and she got it. Its pretty funny to think back on the first week or two and the issues that we focused on versus now. There will always be something, its an intense and evolving environment. The social part is pretty bizarre… we realized about a month ago that she hadn’t really dealt with teenagers before… they’re complicated and say weird things. She has been a tiny adult from a young age, so high school is swimming in the deep end. Every challenge builds her scaffolding… she goes to an amazing high school, no compromises… how many kids can say that? I feel weepy just thinking about how cool that is.</p>
<p>I envy parents with kids who come home (for break) and out of the gate disclose everything they’ve been up to. My kids were never wired that way. It took me awhile to figure out that asking questions and making their first 24-48 hours at home about school wasn’t the way to go… In fact, it caused a lot of friction. Now, when the kids come home ( from BS or college), I don’t say a word about school and allow them to go into full decompression mode. The interesting thing I’ve found is that once they’re left alone for several days, they’re more than willing to share everything and then some! So much so that sometimes, I raise my hand and say, Whoa! Way too much information- close the floodgates!! </p>
<p>My husband ( who loves full disclosure more than I do) calls this: Chill and Spill. ( This from a man who gift wrapped everyone’s tuition agreements and put them under our Christmas tree. See what I’m dealing with? ) </p>
<p>So, if you have kids like mine ( who always act like they’re in the Witness Protection Program ), this method works pretty well. Waiting… (even if it kills you) does have it’s rewards. 
</p>
<p>I hope everyone has a safe and wonderful Thanksgiving Break! </p>
<p>I need to try that. I am an “information hog” and “need ALL details”… LOL
My kid is also in that protection program…</p>
<p>Fascinating to read all of your honest and heartfelt posts! I’m looking at 2015 BS entry for my youngest. I attended BS the week I turned 11, and was there for all 7 years. I loved it, and feel sure that this experience could be similar, especially starting at High School age. Thank you for all of the input here!</p>
<p>We pick up our DD from the airport tomorrow from her BS in NH. She hasn’t called much. This should be interesting.</p>
<p>I picked up my daughter this afternoon. The first time she’s been home since July. She walked into the house, went straight to the frig, opened it up and knelt down in front of it…. </p>
<p>RELIEF! DD just came home and seems HAPPY with BS. Talking about next year and beyond.
Life is good</p>
<p>I’m jealous! DS doesn’t finish until Tuesday. We are fortunate, however, that we live fairly close by. We visit him most weekends and occasionally he comes home for a few hours. He has said that having that connection to home has made this easier. Can’t wait to have him for more than a few hours!</p>
<p>I find the best times for hearing about how school is going are car rides. When D2 is home she is usually online with friends or hanging out with D1. So I make the most of the time just the 2 of us are together. </p>
<p>My son will not disclose anything about his friends other than first name (and that much only under duress), and he makes a point of not providing any information about anything unless asked very specific questions (which is, of course, impossible to do without knowing anything about what to ask). However, he does like to share gossip about kids who have misbehaved and been disciplined (without names or identifying information, of course…unless it’s his roommate!).</p>
<p>I’ve been hearing stories of kids who have been kicked out and others who are tested regularly. Im glad the school does this.</p>
<p>So true on the car ride Sudsie… now that we are home mums the word. … its off limits</p>
<p>All the new boarders returning home for the holiday break look a little older and seem a little wiser- don’t they? I always marveled at who walked through the door- because it usually wasn’t the person I dropped off at the beginning of the year. </p>
<p>I’ll miss not having someone return home from BS next year. I’ll even miss receiving Christmas gifts they purchased at the Student Store and charged to me… LOL. Actually… the tote bags, belts and school Christmas ornaments (over the years) were very nice but I probably could’ve gotten by without the hoodies and knit hats with tassels. </p>
<p>I envy parents just starting this journey… enjoy every second because it goes by so fast. </p>
<p>@PhotographerMom Do they realize you’re the one buying the gift? ;)</p>
<p>I completely blame my husband for telling the kids : When we were visiting PW, your mother had her eye on that tote bag… belt… whatever. We can laugh about it now… but - if I don’t receive school swag from K2 this year, I might be a little disappointed. </p>
<p>well… as the year comes to a close I reminisce about where we were a year ago… diving in to the application process. It’s quite a thing to watch the new applicants ride that wave here on CC. Vacation is almost over, we have done very little… mostly resting and eating. D is starting to talk about going back, knowing she will return to the oversized daily schedule and her self imposed intensity. I appreciate this site a lot, I’ve learned a bunch. My latest eyeopener is prepfessions on twitter. How is the break going for you guys?</p>
Our break has been wonderful, but somewhat bittersweet as it will be our last in this house where ChoatieKid was raised. (No fears–we are not losing our house due to BS tuition. Ha!). Also, CK will turn 18 soon after he returns to campus and we will not be there for that–and it’s killing me. He will receive a critical EA decision on Jan 10th, so there’s that tension as well. We’re trying to take it all in stride, but I must say, I am hoping to be able to look back fondly on this time next New Year’s day.
Good luck on January 10th ChoatieMom!
I hear you, ChoatieMom. My girl will have her ‘Sweet Sixteenth’ birthday soon after going back to school, and I wish I could be with her for that – although I’m sure she will be having a great time celebrating with her friends. I hope the 10th brings good news your way.