<p>@london</p>
<p>Congratualtions to your daughter!!!</p>
<p>Fantastic school, Portsmouth and the campus is beautiful. So close to Newport. Absolutely stunning New England.</p>
<p>Have now survived 1 1/2 years of empty nest (the 18 year old went off to school 2 1/2 years ago, and the 16 year old went a year later). It’s not so bad, to be honest. We miss the kids, but completely agree that when you see what is happening to/for them at BS, you could never ask them to not be there. And with facebook and email and texting and cheap telephone calls, you “see” them pretty regularly. </p>
<p>It is not easy. The 18 year old went through some rough patches (thank god for the adviser). But this year, the adviser commented “I miss my constant chats with your daughter, but I understand it means she is flying on her own now, and I am happy for her”. I guess that’s the adviser version of the empty nest! </p>
<p>And there are the “aha” moments, that tell you how much your own children have learned from the “independence with training wheels” that the boarding schools offer, and how much their classmates have learned - things that are amazing, and require the high price from the parents - that of letting go. </p>
<p>It’s never easy, there is never the right time - but it’s not as bad as you think its going to be, and you do get some of your own life back. I just went back to piano lessons after 40 years away from them. It’s great for me, and the kids think it’s a riot - but I think/hope they also get that it’s what we do - we knock ourselves out for our kids while they’re young, but we understand that if we keep the relationship too dependent, then we are asking each other not to grow. Kids grow, parents grow - and it’s great when you can show each other a good example.</p>
<p>I love this thread. I plan to bookmark it so that I can read it again whenever I need it! Thanks for all the support and advice. CC is such a terrific resource. I am so glad I found it.</p>
<p>See you around CC!</p>
<p>@London203</p>
<p>Congratulations to you and your daughter! </p>
<p>Loved your threads,</p>
<p>I am preparing for my daughter to be gone next year. I bought my second puppy!<br>
My daughter will be attending Asheville School in North Carolina.</p>
<p>Congrats, Rose2014! Exciting times!!</p>
<p>@Rose,</p>
<p>I kinda have the same idea, but Im having baby this month 
Definitely mixed emotions with her being gone at this time…</p>
<p>enjoy the puppy!</p>
<p>Congratulations to all the new boarding school parents, and to HailuMu on the new baby!</p>
<p>Thanks Friendlymom :D</p>
<p>@London</p>
<p>when your D proudly shows you her new life on parent’s weekend, and comes home for Thanksgiving full of excitement and missing school, you will KNOW it was the right choice. </p>
<p>Until then, agree, it is scary to wait. </p>
<p>By the way, my incredibly disorganized daughter learned multiple organizational tips at school - there are even organizational coaches at many schools.</p>
<p>2prepmom: lots to look forward to!</p>