<p>I was talking to some parents today and some felt as you do(or did), alone and others in their group, doing different things. My husband also works long hours.
Some of them did take up a hobby, some joined a pilates/yoga class to have something to do and be well, one joined a gym, didn’t love exercise, but it helped with stress and gave her something to do at night.(she lost 10lbs!)Another stocked up on books she always wanted to read.
My knees are older now, but I started running when I knew my son was getting ready to leave, he helped me, it gave me something to talk about with him other than college, but it still hurt. He was proud of me though when I finished my first race. Now I’m going to have a different goal, what I don’t know yet, but another, as my twins go off.
We did get a puppy and I know he will miss them terribly, they played with him a lot and I will take him on some visits. A puppy doesn’t replace them, but it does keep me busy.</p>
<p>Well, as of right now, we experienced both the “last hour home this morning” AND the “first hour back home without him” tonight. </p>
<p>The morning was REALLY tough. Basically we were getting up, showering and leaving. S has held it together pretty well - even last night with his GF - this morning he walked out of the bathroom after taking a shower and just sadly fell in my arms. Lots of mixed emotions I think. He was slow to get the his last few things together and we were a bit late leaving but I kept my “like to be on time” mouth shut. Then just before we left (and while he was still kind of upset about leaving) he hit his dad’s head with the car door - OMG, my husband reacted in such pain that I think my son thought he killed him!!! Poor kid! Already feeling bad and now feeling awful! H was ok after a few minutes and we got in the car with the tears out of the way and made our trip. Busy day of course, excitement of the campus, anxiety about meeting new people and some more tears at the end. Watching him and his siblings hug (and cry) just CRUSHED me - can you tell I am easily emotional!?</p>
<p>We arrived home an hour ago and I told myself to not even look in his room until morning - things always look brighter in the morning…</p>
<p>Hi. We are back and I want to report that I made it! </p>
<p>The morning we left was fine - packed up the cars (we downsized earlier this year so we had to take two cars!) and D was fine on the drive down. The actual move-in was not nearly as bad as the anticipation of it, despite how emotional I am. I was kind of a wreck the night before and I have had some sad moments since we left D at school, but I didn’t make a scene at the dorm! That was an accomplishment! It makes it easier because D is SOOO happy there (she changed her FB status yesterday to “XXXX loves this school.” After less than 24 hours there, she texted me that she had a “solid group of friends.”</p>
<p>My best preparation was that she’s been going to sleep away camp since she was 12. So this is the not the first time she is away. Things are certainly going to be different around here, but knowing she is happy really helps.</p>
<p>I thought about leaving her a gift as some have mentioned (there was a winnie the pooh quote on another thread and I was going to frame that and leave a little stuffed animal), but I thought it would just make it harder for her and for me. I also didn’t want to make her feel bad about how much I’m going to miss her.</p>
<p>So she is on to her new life and I really have to focus on work again. The past week has been both physically and emotionally draining. Plus, I get to spend three days at the US Open with my son this week and I’m really looking forward to it!</p>
<p>We dropped DS off Thursday and I’m happy to say it went very smoothly. His suitemates seem very nice and son seemed happy to see us leave. We had previously set up the key words for departure- “mom, you’ve reached that point. Get out now. Please” So we said our goodbyes and hit the road.</p>
<p>Yesterday he posted on FB that he just realized that he won’t see family of friends for a few months! That’s my boy- Capt Oblivious. Before we left, I managed to slide a letter under his fitted sheet with $40 in it. We’ll see how long it takes for him to wash his sheets.</p>
<p>We also talked about him calling on Sunday’s, so we’ll see if he remembers and calls today. So far so good on my side. No tears, I’m really more excited to hear about how his classes are going. He has so much to look forward to and the path he’s on is fresh and new.</p>
<p>His sister and I will be making cookies today, so we’ll send them out tomorrow. Other than that, things are going well.</p>
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