<p>Although hormonal changes and the personal stresses in your life may be contributing factors, it’s also possible that something completely rational is contributing to your anxiety – the fact that your son is moving into a world that you didn’t experience because you did not go to college.</p>
<p>Perhaps part of your anxiety is based on concerns about your ability to advise your son if he encounters problems with things that are unique to college – like academic problems and residence hall living. It might help to browse around his college’s web site to find out about the supports that are available to students. That way, when your son discusses some difficulty with you and has totally forgotten all the information that was given out at Orientation, you can help him to identify the services on campus that will work with him to solve his problem.</p>
<p>Hi Miller-- I too was surprised at how anxious I was about my only son heading off to college two years ago. I felt like someone was pulling the cake out of the oven before it was done baking (wait!!! he’s not ready yet and it’s my fault because I never got around to teaching him to do XXX!! the secret is revealed–I’m not a very good mother after all!!)</p>
<p>My kiddo did fine as yours will. Take your cues from him in terms of degree of contact–you don’t want to have him worrying about you worrying about him.</p>
<p>As other have said, you must think of this in term of small chunks of time–just from now til the next visit. </p>
<p>You’ll feel weird for awhile, but just come onto CC and check in here–that’s what I did. Also plan some sort of adventure afterwards–did that too. Still felt very weird to have him gone–but you will get thru it, just like the rest of us. Because we actually are good moms and the proof is in the pudding when they flourish in this next phase of their lives!</p>