I Hate Dialysis Message Board

Off-Topic => Off-Topic: Talk about anything you want. => Topic started by: okarol on August 22, 2007, 08:07:48 PM

Title: No one told me how hard it is when your kid goes to college
Post by: okarol on August 22, 2007, 08:07:48 PM
On Sunday Jenna's brother James moved into his dorm apartment at CSUN. He is rooming with 2 boys who also attended his high school - they are
all studying music (guitar.) The 4th roommate is a drummer from San Diego. Their place is really nice and I think they would have loved to get us
out of there, but my other dorm-moms-in-law and I couldn't leave until we had them properly nested. I am excited for James and I will miss him
terribly! Earlier that day I heard the song on the radio "Beautiful Boy" by John Lennon and it made me cry - he is my beautiful boy!

I didn't know it was going to be so hard on me. The college is not far but I know the boys aren't going to want their mom's dropping in for a hug.
I want James to be independent and this is a great chance for him -- but selfishly I want him where I can see him. I hope it gets easier in the next
few weeks so I don't walk around feeling like I've lost something!
 :-[
Title: Re: No one told me how hard it is when your kid goes to college
Post by: poohkari on August 22, 2007, 08:37:50 PM
 :grouphug;

Well, i've never been in your position, obviously, but I have recently been that doe-eyed colege freshman. Don't worry yourself silly, Karol. He will be great! He'll mess up a few times, and hopefully you won't even know about them until many years from now. I think its awesome hes able to be with kids he grew up with - how cool! That means he wont forget his roots and wont go off the deep end. Trust me on this. In college, you figure things out on your own. The kids who were going home every weekend, and having constant visits from parents and nagging phone calls from parents were the most introverted, obviously. You seem like a really cool person, so im sure youre an even cooler mom!  :) Be there for him, but dont let him think youre coddling him. The best thing my mom ever did for me when I was in college would be mailing me little gift cards, or a small check here and there, without giving me the heads up - it was such an awesome suprise, and I swear moms are magic - they came just when I needed them the most!

And one more thing - if he comes back with tattoos, dont freak out. It's normal!  :D
Title: Re: No one told me how hard it is when your kid goes to college
Post by: okarol on August 22, 2007, 08:39:20 PM
Tattoos?!?!?
Title: Re: No one told me how hard it is when your kid goes to college
Post by: okarol on August 22, 2007, 08:43:46 PM
Just kidding - he's an adult - he can do what he wants.

Thanks Kari, I will try to not be a stalker - give him some space - although now that I think about it, I missed a perfect chance to install a "dorm cam" when I was helping him move in - damn!   :popcorn;

I moved out from my mom's house when I was 17 - lived on my own - if he does half of what I did he'll be just fine.  >:D
Title: Re: No one told me how hard it is when your kid goes to college
Post by: thegrammalady on August 22, 2007, 08:49:14 PM
it will get easier. just wait till he comes home for the weekend with his laundry!!!
Title: Re: No one told me how hard it is when your kid goes to college
Post by: kitkatz on August 22, 2007, 09:09:20 PM
It gets easier as time goes on.  My girls have been gone for almost two years now.  It is quiet in the house.  I worry about them , but what can you do?  Just love them anyway no matter what.  Pray he does not call you for more money!
Title: Re: No one told me how hard it is when your kid goes to college
Post by: goofynina on August 23, 2007, 12:24:57 AM
Yes Karol, i am sure in time it will get easier, shoot, i am sure the time is going to come when he does come home with his laundry, needing money and raiding your fridge and cupboards for any food he can take back with him, lol,  :P
Title: Re: No one told me how hard it is when your kid goes to college
Post by: Amanda From OZ on August 23, 2007, 03:13:37 AM
Karol if he is anything like me i would be worried!!!  >:D >:D >:D ;)

Only joking!!

Karol I'm sure things will get easier eventually, from what i know of you and your family, if they are anything like there mum they will do great in everything they do.

Hoping you feel better soon.

Amanda
xxoo

 :cuddle;
Title: Re: No one told me how hard it is when your kid goes to college
Post by: Razman on August 23, 2007, 10:00:36 AM
Hi Karol ,  my wife and I been through that and the first week or 2 may seem different but we  found that the kids just keep coming back.  For the past 8 years our daughter calls her mom every day.    Boys are different but give them some space and they soon remember that  "HOME" is the best place to be !
Title: Re: No one told me how hard it is when your kid goes to college
Post by: paris on August 23, 2007, 12:33:55 PM
With 4 kids, someone  was always moving off to college, another state for a new job, but now they have all settled in a 40 mile radius and we see each other all the time.  I will say, I still miss the confusion, commotion, and fun of them all growing up, but not the mess!   I still worry about them--part of being a Mom.  Hope he has a great experience at college.  Fun time in life!!!
Title: Re: No one told me how hard it is when your kid goes to college
Post by: Sluff on August 23, 2007, 12:56:36 PM
It is never easy to loosen the ties that bind, but unfortunately that time has come for you Karol. I'm sure just by your example you have nothing to fear. You have instilled many great attributes and have taught your children right. Even if they stray they won't stray far. Here is a hug to help comfort you.  :grouphug;  :grouphug;  :grouphug;
Title: Re: No one told me how hard it is when your kid goes to college
Post by: okarol on August 23, 2007, 01:48:01 PM
Awww you guys are so great!
Thanks so much.
I forwarded this thread to the other 2 mom's who are feeling the same angst - my dorm-moms-in-law - and they both said it helped them too!
This is one of the many benefits of my adopted family at IHD!
 :2thumbsup;
Title: Re: No one told me how hard it is when your kid goes to college
Post by: Jill D. on August 23, 2007, 09:08:20 PM
Two years ago when my daughter moved into the dorm at Michigan State University (which is about 15 minutes away!) it was hard for me too! However, I came to enjoy how CLEAN my house stayed. My daughter is somewhat of a slob and leaves a trail whever she goes!
Title: Re: No one told me how hard it is when your kid goes to college
Post by: thegrammalady on August 23, 2007, 09:13:32 PM
glad you're feeling a bit better karol. You can count on the fact that he won't stay gone forever. mine moved home several times over the years. then i moved in with one of them  :rofl;
Title: Re: No one told me how hard it is when your kid goes to college
Post by: Slywalker on August 24, 2007, 10:19:21 AM
Oh Karol - no one ever told me how hard it was either.   This is something that does get better with time.  And, I then cherished the times my kids came home on the weekends - laundry or not - they were were there visiting and a little bit like "old" times yet different.  My problem was that my kids never moved back home.  Even for the summers.  They liked the area where their colleges were and they got apartments, jobs, etc. and so the visits were not even that often for me.  But, on the other hand, that is in the end what I wanted - self-sufficient kids.

Take care

Sandyb
Title: Re: No one told me how hard it is when your kid goes to college
Post by: Romona on August 24, 2007, 02:15:56 PM
Just by reading your posts, I can tell you are a wonderful Mom. I bet he misses you just as much as you miss him. My oldest is living at home this year because he changed schools. But I missed him so much last year and he wasn't far away at all.  :grouphug;