<p>I am a mom, and my youngest daughter is joining my eldest daughter at Wash U. - one will be a Junior, the other a Freshman. Because we live cross-country, and are dropping off a car for the eldest, we are leaving Tuesday for the Thursday move-in. We will be driving two cars, filled with four adults, and perhaps too much stuff to fit. We'll find that out on Monday night.</p>
<p>We are in the midst of packing and my eldest who threw things into black garbage bags for her Freshman move-in is organizing things phenomenally well because (1) she learned it is helpful, and (2) her youngest sister is doing it.</p>
<p>So, to distract me from my impending empty nest angst, any good packing and move-in stories you would like to share? Or... though it has nothing to do with this thread title, any empty-nest advice to give?</p>
<p>NU, my boys are the same ages as your girls. The oldest is elsewhere, but our baby flew up early last week and we are driving up this week with the big stuff. So we are right there with you. We have lots of tickets to St. Louis. And we did get a used fun car (convertible) since we no longer need practical cars. It is a nice distraction.</p>
<p>Here another mom in the same boat! Junior and sophomore at WashU, but this year, they are by themselves, shipping, retrieving from the storage unit, packing, flying, and shopping the last minute necessities around there.
Good luck to everybody.</p>
<p>Next year - we won't be along for the drive. But, this freshman year, I wouldn't miss it. As bittersweet as it is to drop your child off at college, it is such a special moment. I have been looking forward to and dreading this day.</p>
<p>Amazingly everything is packed and ready to go before it needed to be... and so organized - I can barely believe it!</p>
<p>It is going to be so quiet when the kids are gone. The house is going to stay so neat. I won't have anyone around to help unload groceries, take out garbage, etc...</p>
<p>Enjoy it - it will all turn out well. Build on what you have put in place and it will end up being a good time. Ours still come home to visit and we enjoy every minute of it. After all this is what we hoped to accomplish. A life of their own - where they could function as independent human beings. If that is the end result, then we have accomplished our mission as parents.</p>