<p>I'll Miss You Too An Off to College Guide for Parents and Students by Margo E. Bane Woodacere and Steffany Bane
Letting Go A Parent's Guide to Understanding the College Years by Karen Levin Coburn and Madge Lawrence Treeger</p>
<p>I'm reading these 2 books and find them helpful.
My baby will be leaving in Sept and he will be 3 hours away by plane so it'll be hard to visit him. Even though I've been preparing myself since he started talking about going away 2 years ago, the reality is starting to sink in.</p>
<p>Twas a bittersweet move-in day 4 years ago knowing that our lives as parents would never be the same but recognizing that he was embarking on the same adventure we experienced 30 some years ago.</p>
<p>Aha, but we got payback!!!!! He grew up in the same house all his life and when we told him that we would be moving after my retirement later this year I think it surprised him a bit. But last week when we showed him the pic's of our lot on the golf course, the house plan, the other new homes on the cul-de-sac and the surrounding community he was quite happy for olde mom and dad.</p>
<p>momofnew--Unless the illness is really serious, many kids tend to want to "stick it out" which of course could be a mistake. It's important, I think, to encourage them to go to the health center to find out what's going on. No, the school won't contact you under most circumstances.</p>
<p>I know a few other parents/moms who have been really frustrated when S/D have become ill some distance away. Some of them try to talk student through steps; a couple say they don't even want to know, since there's nothing they can do.</p>
<p>I'm glad we're only 2.5 hours away because Freshman D's "stomach ache" a week before Thanksgiving turned out to be appendicitis. After having tests at the health center earlier in the day, she finally agreed to go to the emergency room around midnight...no health center or closeby facility was open. She had surgery before dawn, and appreciated the fact that H and I were able to be there.</p>
<p>Here are a few things that worked for D and me. Go to the move-in. It's nice to meet roommates and their parents -- perhaps even useful. Go to Parents Weekend. There's a reason it's called that. Do get a cell phone plan with unlimited minutes. Be prepared to help with small problems, like "The bookstore is sold out of a required book, what do I do now?" Do arrange Thanksgiving and Christmas transportation in late September -- do involve you S in that planning. Do communicate regularly using email. (And if the family cat dies, let him know soon after NOT when he arrives home for Thanksgiving. JMHO.) Oh yes, and try to stay busy. His independence is your success, even though it may not feel like it at times.</p>
<p>originaloog - I forgot about the "payback" possibility! We have a retirement move in our near future, too. It's nice to know that both parents and kid have adjusted.</p>
<p>It seems as if time is moving so fast now until he really leaves. Up until the final acceptances.rejections came in on 3/31, college was still an amorphous, no-name abstraction (not sure that's the right word). Since that date, we have visited the school for preview day and life as I know it seems really terminal, as in ending. I will get the 2 books mentioned on the thread, but after graduation. I am planning a big party for him so I hoipe that keeps me occupied. Started preparation a few months ago. But I still feel as if a gray cloud is over me knowing he is leaving.
Tuesday he found out he is salutatorian. I picked him up at school and we went to the doctor. Then I had a car accident in the paking lot. (nothing serious) I am usually a very safe driver, but I feel overwhelmed with everything going on. JUst needed to vent today and thank you for listening.</p>
<p>^^^vent away. This is a safe place to do so.</p>
<p>Congrats to your son on his achievements. You must be very proud and happy for him, but it is bittersweet, of course. Really (and not to, for one minute, minimize your feelings), this is survivable and it will get easier.</p>
<p>Thanks mafool. And ha ha curmudgeon. Of course I am proud and happy for him. He has worked hard for it. I don't want to put a negative on it for him. I must confess I am secretly envious of a fellow student of his who did not get into his choice of schools and will be going to a school only an hour or so away. Actually envious of the Mom. I know it sounds ridiculous. I do know it will pass. Thanks</p>
<p>Well this mom is in complete denial. I cant wait to clear out the bedroom of the only child. I'm looking for travel and cruise lines. WAlt Disney World is finally of the list! So in September does anyone want to meet me for a cruise on Lake Michigan? PM me!</p>