<p>okay, mattmom and achat, I did it...I pulled the plug and took her off my buddy list which was extraordinarily hard to do. (One of the main reasons being that the best way she communicates with me is IM - she never returns e-mails or phone calls). But I'm going to try it this way and see if it helps.</p>
<p>She can still IM you as long as you are on her buddy list. It's just that she will be taking the initiative.</p>
<p>We will see what the difference is this weekend, when our soph takes off. It definitely has been great having him for the summer.</p>
<p>So many of us have had the same experience! Last year's excitement of freshmen orientation and convocation ceremonies made it all an adventure. This year it seems a bit anticlimactic compared to last year. Like so many others have mentioned, my DS has also been a pleasure to be around this summer compared to last. How much they grow up in just a year! Take heart parents of grumpy, anxious freshmen heading off this year. They will come home lovely, confident young adults. Big hugs to all the new empty-(or getting emptier) nesters!</p>
<p>fredo, congrats!! I know that was a hard thing to do to take her off the buddy list!</p>
<p>Fredo, so sorry. Does your daughter plan to rush again?</p>
<p>I guess it was good for us that son & I are usually on computer at different times. Otherwise, pulling the plug sounds like a good idea. son is here 6 more days.</p>
<p>lamom: right now, she does plan on re-rushing (see mom cringe!). But I expect that might change depending how her first semester goes (they rush at the beginning of 2nd semester). If she stays close to her friends in different sororities and makes new friends in her dorm (which is mainly independents) I could see her re-thinking that.</p>
<p>My D is leaving tomorrow for her freshman year and I think I'll have to take your advice about taking her off my buddy list. It will be really hard to cut the "IMbellical Cord", but thanks for the advice.</p>
<p>Well, D left with her dad for LAX. In-laws are flying in at 9 pm...so H is dropping her off early for the 11 pm flight back to Philly. D has been anticipating the return since mid-May. A lot of her classmates returned early. She has had a productive working summer at a law firm...and was invited back for Xmas break. She already announced plans to remain back east next summer...I guess it is all about maturing and finding one's own path. It's all good...1 out the door and 2 more at home. ;)</p>
<p>In an hour, I drive out the driveway to the airport to put S on his plane. Last night I made a comment about how I guess now I should take him off my AIM buddy list, and he looked askance at me and said, "What?! Why? That would be stupid, don't do that." So I won't. I guess it just all depends.</p>
<p>We'll see next year as an incoming sophomore if he'll feel differently.</p>