My husband and I have had many questions over the weekend regarding sending our daughter off to college. Of course, many questions regarding if we 'survived' letting her go. Our response, 'We didn't have a problem at all letting go and we didn't shed a tear'. People are shocked at our response, guess we aren't the 'normal' parents, especially since this is our first child going off to college.
I guess my husband and I look at letting go as a huge celebration, not of her not being home, but a celebration of her starting a new life on her own and we as parents adjusting to a child in college and only two children at home. We want to show our daughter we have faith in her that she can make it on her own. We are excited for her and look forward to hearing how things are going for her. It's an exciting time for all of us, a new chapter.
'Freedom' comes for both children and parents when it's time for college. We wish our daughter well with her new found freedom. Now we will have to see if we are 'normal' when it comes time for our youngest to go off to college, but um, that won't be for awhile!
Monday, August 31, 2009
Friday, August 28, 2009
No Tears or Fears
Many parents go thru this change in life when they take their sons or daughters to college. I wasn't sure what I was going to feel when this occurred in my life. Is the experience different when the child is your first born or your last child, I'm sure it is. I have two kids still at home, so no empty nest.
I think the anxiety for me is letting go of doing everything for my daughter. I think it will be worse for my daughter than for me tho. I wanted to be a stay at home mom, so doing everything for my kids is what I signed up for. But now I have let go of one child to let her be 'on her own'. No fear of her not being able to make it, she will get into the groove soon just like all freshmen do. But oh what a change for her.
Getting her room set up yesterday, we did a nice job and her roommate was already settled, but the size of the room....most of us have gone thru it and made it but now comes the time to share EVERYTHING. I have to admit, I loved college, but I do not envy the small living quarters. No privacy, no space, no personal bathroom. This is such a rite of passage tho isn't it?
Things sure have changed since I attended the same college my freshman year 24 years ago. Moving in day is so much more organized AND they had other students available to help you move in all your belongings along with providing big carts! That would have been so very helpful when I lived on the 3rd floor. The dorm I was in, no a/c, no wireless internet, no cable tv, no cell phones, we had to talk in the hallway on the two phones there. And now the dorms are coed!?! I sound like a very old person now.
The time came to say our goodbyes and most of you know, I am a very emotional person(so is my hubby)but we didn't shed one tear! I think my feelings were of excitement moreso than sadness. I want my daughter to enjoy her college experience and take it all in. This is a time for growth for my her, but we also grow as parents as we learn to let go of our children and see them as adults. I wish her well!
I think the anxiety for me is letting go of doing everything for my daughter. I think it will be worse for my daughter than for me tho. I wanted to be a stay at home mom, so doing everything for my kids is what I signed up for. But now I have let go of one child to let her be 'on her own'. No fear of her not being able to make it, she will get into the groove soon just like all freshmen do. But oh what a change for her.
Getting her room set up yesterday, we did a nice job and her roommate was already settled, but the size of the room....most of us have gone thru it and made it but now comes the time to share EVERYTHING. I have to admit, I loved college, but I do not envy the small living quarters. No privacy, no space, no personal bathroom. This is such a rite of passage tho isn't it?
Things sure have changed since I attended the same college my freshman year 24 years ago. Moving in day is so much more organized AND they had other students available to help you move in all your belongings along with providing big carts! That would have been so very helpful when I lived on the 3rd floor. The dorm I was in, no a/c, no wireless internet, no cable tv, no cell phones, we had to talk in the hallway on the two phones there. And now the dorms are coed!?! I sound like a very old person now.
The time came to say our goodbyes and most of you know, I am a very emotional person(so is my hubby)but we didn't shed one tear! I think my feelings were of excitement moreso than sadness. I want my daughter to enjoy her college experience and take it all in. This is a time for growth for my her, but we also grow as parents as we learn to let go of our children and see them as adults. I wish her well!
Friday, August 21, 2009
Busy Bee
Wow, can't believe I haven't posted in quite sometime! So much has happened and now, I have some breathing room. I have yet to get into a routine, but I'm getting there.
We love our new house, I have nothing to stress over, well maybe, but I can handle the stress so much better when I look at the view from my wonderful windows. I can even clean without stressing out because I continue to look at the view and take in a deep breath and continue on.
New house and kids started school, at least 2 out of 3 started, on the 12th, so really have been trying to get into a routine. Driving into 'town' and back has been new for me. I have over 190 miles on my car from one week of pick up and drop off for school and carpool. I don't think I have ever put 190 miles on my car even in a month, really. But again, I can't and don't complain. I knew this going into a new house and I'm ready. And I've had to get used to my son driving to and from school all on his own. He is not 16 yet, but he does have a school permit, so he can drive himself to and from school and any school activities. So far so good. Now we are counting down the days when he can drive everywhere by himself...only six more months!
I've had days of waiting for deliveries and appointments, 'between the hours of this and this'. But now it's starting to dwindle down, the house has come together nicely. I was actually able to maintain keeping the whole main floor clean while settling in and unpacking. That was my number one goal so I wouldn't get so overwhelmed. I sorted as I unpacked and repacked a lot of things to give away. I truly did keep only the things I was going to use.
Now we are left with hanging pictures, but I like to be simple and clean so not too many pictures are going to be put up. I'm not a decorator, but I do know what I like and it's things that are simple with clean lines. No more clutter, yahoo! That is my life goal, to live clutter free, so far I've gotten a great start. I've been blessed many times over and I don't take it for granted.
I've actually started cooking more too..partly because I don't want to drive to the grocery store too often and driving for take out food really is a longer drive now and by the time we get the food home, I could have made a meal already! Way back when, I used to plan out my weekly dinners so now I'm trying to go back to that method. It is harder now tho because my kids all have practices right at dinner time Monday thru Thursday. And I do love cooking with a gas stove now. I was scared at first, but now I love it. I hope my enthusiasm continues!(So does my hubby!)
I have been blessed, I have a great life!
We love our new house, I have nothing to stress over, well maybe, but I can handle the stress so much better when I look at the view from my wonderful windows. I can even clean without stressing out because I continue to look at the view and take in a deep breath and continue on.
New house and kids started school, at least 2 out of 3 started, on the 12th, so really have been trying to get into a routine. Driving into 'town' and back has been new for me. I have over 190 miles on my car from one week of pick up and drop off for school and carpool. I don't think I have ever put 190 miles on my car even in a month, really. But again, I can't and don't complain. I knew this going into a new house and I'm ready. And I've had to get used to my son driving to and from school all on his own. He is not 16 yet, but he does have a school permit, so he can drive himself to and from school and any school activities. So far so good. Now we are counting down the days when he can drive everywhere by himself...only six more months!
I've had days of waiting for deliveries and appointments, 'between the hours of this and this'. But now it's starting to dwindle down, the house has come together nicely. I was actually able to maintain keeping the whole main floor clean while settling in and unpacking. That was my number one goal so I wouldn't get so overwhelmed. I sorted as I unpacked and repacked a lot of things to give away. I truly did keep only the things I was going to use.
Now we are left with hanging pictures, but I like to be simple and clean so not too many pictures are going to be put up. I'm not a decorator, but I do know what I like and it's things that are simple with clean lines. No more clutter, yahoo! That is my life goal, to live clutter free, so far I've gotten a great start. I've been blessed many times over and I don't take it for granted.
I've actually started cooking more too..partly because I don't want to drive to the grocery store too often and driving for take out food really is a longer drive now and by the time we get the food home, I could have made a meal already! Way back when, I used to plan out my weekly dinners so now I'm trying to go back to that method. It is harder now tho because my kids all have practices right at dinner time Monday thru Thursday. And I do love cooking with a gas stove now. I was scared at first, but now I love it. I hope my enthusiasm continues!(So does my hubby!)
I have been blessed, I have a great life!
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