I went to BS, as did my dad, uncle, grandfather and great-grandfather. I love this place, it changed my life, and we’re 100% confident that it is right for DS. And HE is excited too. We have come up with a plan for little sister so that she doesn’t come with us on Aug 30 and stress everyone out (she’s a bit much); just need to find a subtle and kind way to ask the grandparents (and payors) to “take it easy” that day. So, why am I nervous? Mostly I’m afraid I’m going to cry and upset DS. Any strategies you all can give to help me keep it together? I am not sad about sending him - it’s going to be the best thing that’s happened to him. I’m sad about LEAVING him. Thanks in advance for your advice.
(and, still haven’t figured out if he needs a laptop…!)
Imagine your DS will have a great time in his life there. Aren’t you going to be happy too? We felt the same when we dropped my son off two years ago. He is a rising junior this Fall and can’t wait to be back to school. Maybe next year, hopefully you will tell the same thing to new parents who feel just like you. 
Once you get there, you will be busy, and they will whisk your son off before you know it. Get a lot of hugs in before you arrive at the school! And he doesn’t need a laptop if he has a keyboard for the iPad. Let him go without one for a while and then see how he feels about it. My son still doesn’t think he needs one after a year. My daughter is bringing her Chromebook, just because why not.
Funny, FormerChoatieKid didn’t find much use for the iPad and only used his laptop. Depends on how the school incorporates the iPad, I guess.
As for drop-off, this is the time to keep it together in front of the kid. You can beeline to the local town pub after those last hugs to commiserate with the other BS parents over G&Ts and do your emoting there. @twinsmama is right – you will be busy, and the day will be over before you know it. The Parent Advisory Committee at Choate always hosted a parent gathering directly after last-hugs to help parents transition (to the parking lot). If your kiddo’s school does something like this, definitely plan to attend. Otherwise, find the local watering hole. But remember, do not cry and drive.
Mercersburg requires the iPad and its use is very much integrated into the curriculum. Otherwise, my kids would be making do with cheap laptops, like their parents.
@ChoatieMom FormerChoatieKid? That hit me like a ton of bricks.
When I first met you, he was just a sophomore… I’m about to be a sophomore… :-?
What’s wrong with a few tears? Seems like a normal reaction to leaving your child to go live in a new place for the first time. I shed a few when I dropped off our first born last year and I will be shedding a few more this fall with our second.
A few tears are fine; losing it isn’t. 
We’ve come up with a plan. Rent a dump truck, load Boy and all of his crap in the bed, and slow down enough to dump it somewhere in the school’s campus. It’s the only way I can think of to stop myself from embarrassing him. OK, maybe the whole dump truck thing would be embarrassing, too…