<p>So we are done. DS is a new freshman, in his dorm 3000 miles away, with a great roommate, a fabulous school, and is really upbeat about the whole new world opening before him. He has even finished his first essay for freshman English class, and perhaps turned it in already.</p>
<p>For the record, no tears, but it is certainly a melancholy moment for a parent. Still, that's offset by the tremendous positive opportunity for the student.</p>
<p>For me, I think the melancholy was mostly dispelled by the first email saying, "hey could you send me some stuff I forgot..."</p>
<p>I consider myself restained, in that I've only used email and have not actually called him during the first two days. That has allowed him to take charge and let me know that he'll call me this afternoon to tell me how it's going.</p>
<p>Still it is hard to retrain the impulse to interfere...but I'm doing it.</p>
<p>CONGRATS on seeing your eagle off for his BIG adventure!! Sounds like he's got all the necessary components for a fabulous year, both academically and socially! {{{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}}}} to you and your wife, and a <em>huge</em> pat on the back for a job <em>VERY</em> well done! Keep us posted! ~berurah</p>
<p>j/k, resonabledad. I'm just tickled by all this ornithology associated with college.
I recall that the CB has occasionally been excoriated on CC as a bunch of vultures.</p>
<p>I personally do almost all my communicating with my parents (in particular my dad) via instant messaging. it's great because i can tell my dad about my day but still do other things, and even if he's not there he'll see the message later.</p>
<p>Marite, thanks! And I do admit to a bit of helicopter Dad syndrome. It's just funny how much better I feel about DS's situation now than I did when I left USC.</p>
<p>UVMLauren ~ thank you for the suggestion. I love email and it is undeniable that getting a short IM makes a distant Dad feel involved.</p>
<p>Well, the advantage to IM over email is that if he's there, he can engage me in conversation while we both do other things (talk on the phone, look something up in a book, check our email) so we end up being able to talk more. </p>
<p>It gets easier once you realize you like having a nice quiet house and no piles of laundry/huge grocery shopping trips/etc.</p>
<p>Losing those boys is harder on Dad. S2 leaves in four short months. I think H watched his last soccer game today. It was a ripper!</p>
<p>H's golf membership arrived yesterday. I'm going to buy him a new bike too. Anything to stave off those cravings for more young children who love him to bits--at least until he can move in next door to his grandchildren!</p>
<p>actually Son is arriving today after 10 weeks for 13 days at home. can't wait to see him. He says he has gained 5 pounds from 115 to 120 on a 5' 10" of bones.</p>
<p>Yeah, we got son settled in the dorm at USC on 8/16 too. Have only seen his dorm room 8/16 & met his room mate from MA & roomie's mom once. Have sent him a few e-mails & not called, tho he has called & asked for things he forgot and/or wants/needs. Daughter doesn't expect he'll call much, but we'll see.
Son seems very comfortable & has been to several impromptu parties already. He actually seems happier & more connected with peers now than he's ever been & I'm very glad for him.</p>
<p>I am <em>SO</em> happy for you that your son will be home today for nearly two weeks! Enjoy him!! IMing is easy! You can download AIM here:
<a href="http://www.aim.com/get_aim/win/latest_win.adp%5B/url%5D">http://www.aim.com/get_aim/win/latest_win.adp</a>
It's pretty self explanatory. It's a great way to communicate if your son has it or can get it. My son doesn't chat at all, so we typcially email, but maybe I'll try to talk him into AIM too!</p>
<p>Hey, good luck putting some weight on your skinny guy! Wish I had that same problem! :)</p>
<p>reasonabledad congrats on getting your fledgling settled into his new nest! I hope he has a wonderful year out in sunny CA. We're lucky these days to have e-mail to communicate with our kids- it's so much easier than phone with no time zone issues or telephone tag. And it makes communicating by paper mail seem like carrier pigeon.</p>
<p>RD: This Bruin wouldn't get any pleasure out of needling you - I married a Trojan. Makes for one unpleasant Saturday afternoon in the fall. But we've survived for 28 years! Our S didn't want to upset either of us, so he chose Michigan. Best of luck to your S at that other school. :D</p>
<p>We leave Wednesday afternoon to drop my DD off bright and early Thursday; we will be down to a junior high school S at home. It may be hardest on him without his big sister...</p>
<p>At least she is within easy driving distance.</p>
<p>I wonder how the other parents are feeling now. A few days after the drop-off, it all seems sort of inevitable.</p>
<p>M&SDad ~ like you, we are down to one in high school, and she misses her brother. I think she is worried about the increased scrutiny of being the only kid left at home.</p>