<p>It's quiet around the house, but I'm mostly fine about sending him off again, because he's soooo happy to be there (and after his sister's terrible freshman yr, I reaalllly appreciate this.) He is very easy to be around, though his sleep schedule got so bizarre in the last couple weeks that we never knew when we'd see him awake or asleep. One thing I won't miss--my D works nights, so when she'd get home (around 10-11 usually) if neither of them had other plans, they'd sit up half the night chatting and watching movies and X-Files reruns; those of us who needed to be up at 6 did not appreciate that.</p>
<p>The last week got a little hecktic as he "mentioned" he was going to a semi-formal at school in a couple weeks, and oh, yeah, can you help me pick out a suit? So went out in a slush storm to pick it out, then had to go back Saturday morning to get it after alterations, in the middle of packing to go. Luckily, he's less than an hour away, so the drop-off is much easier for us than for you plane ride folks.</p>
<p>My son packed up his car and drove back to school yesterday. He's in his third year, so I guess I've gotten used to him coming and going. It is somewhat of a relief to me not to have to deal with his sleep/work/time with girlfriend schedule! But what does bother me sometimes is that next year's housing is up in the air, there may be a lottery for on-campus housing and he doesn't have a very good lottery number, so he may have to look for an apartment. That means he could be living there beginning this summer, so potentially never living at home again! I know that is something that will and should happen eventually, but as he is my first born, it's difficult. And with my second son heading off to college somewhere this fall, it could be a double whammy.</p>
<p>This reminds me of the thread about "tough going back after winter break", only this time more from the parents' perspective. </p>
<p>I am in the crowd who felt much sadder this time, than when he first left in September. I think that it was combination of things: in September, the weather was glorious and there was so much excitement and newness; this time, the weather was dreary and cold, and he was going back for a much longer stretch; and there is just this sense that--although he is clearly always happy to be home--I know that he is on his way to his own life and our days with him as a daily part of our lives are a treasured memory. Of course, I still delight in watching him shape his adult life...but I miss him very much nonethless. So to the OP and others, I share your feelings.</p>
<p>I remember the eloquent note Soozievt wrote about her daughter when she left for Brown in the fall--just sharing what a pleasure her daughter has been and continues to be. I feel the same way about my son. I truly take no credit for the delightful young man he is (unless you count "parenting by negative example"), but I am just so grateful that he is part of our lives.</p>
<p>I enjoyed having my daughter home - but it was time for her to return to school. Give me a couple of days to enjoy the peace and quiet and then I will miss her quite a bit.</p>
<p>Well, I never thought it would happen, but when D & S left for the 17 hour drive back to school, the whole house gave a huge sigh of relief. The cleaning service I had delayed from Thursday arrived and within hours there was no sign of their being home. Sure I will miss them; I loved having them around. That being said, I am amazed at how easily my DH and I adapted to the empty nest and how much we longed for the return to that state. Just my ramblings......</p>
<p>LOL! Before leaving, D went through all my CDs and downloaded the "oldies"...she was raving about "Earth, Wind, and Fire"...she is definitely a product of her father!!! :) D also left behind a couple of Xmas presents that were too bulky to pack...gave me yet another excuse to send her a care package...she will be pleasantly surprised. H sent it this morning...</p>
<p>Archermom, with my D it was Al Stewart, Simon & Garfunkel, Tommy Makem and Robbie O'Connell (Irish folk singers). I don't think Springsteen has taken yet and she may be slowly changing her mind about Dylan.</p>
<p>TheDad, after all these yrs, I guess they really did listen and only now have come to appreciate the "oldies!" Elton John, The Beatles, Billy Joel---among others---will live forever. :)</p>
<p>My D and I are both enamored with music from the eighties and early nineties. Stuff I should be too old for and she should be too young for. We fight over whose REM and U2 CDs are in her discman. (and both my kids, especially S, love Springsteen--good Jersey kids that they are.)</p>