Dear Parents who sent their youngest (or only) child off to college!

Although it's commonplace for millions of parents to send their kids off to college each fall, the departure is anything but typical. In fact, sending one's child away to school is, on so many levels, profound, especially when it's the youngest child to leave the nest.

In my case, since I went through this process last year with my older son, it would appear I'd be better prepared than most moms. In some ways I was, mainly in knowing what items he'd need for the transition and having a semblance of understanding that this goodbye would be hard. Still, as each child is unique, so is their college journey and a mom's response to it. 

As with any event-- from my older son's birth and beyond--I planned ahead, especially with mourning his college departure. Weeks before, after everyone went to bed, I strolled down memory lane. I cried mountains of tears so that when I finally hugged him goodbye, I was so emotionally exhausted, only a few lingering drops fell. I admit to some waterworks relapses on the drive home and days, then months, after. 

I was consoled having my younger son in high school, still at home. I felt the same comfort after my older son started kindergarten while my younger son remained at home. Then, once both transitioned into kindergarten-- and then middle and high school--I felt the impact. I was more emotional and reflective of the sonic pace of time and how quickly my boys were becoming men.

As the finality of summer came, instead of draining myself emotionally in contemplation of what was to come, as I had with my older son, I redirected my thoughts  to something or someone else each time my son's departure came into mind. Once we were packed and on the road, I reached my arm out to him from the passenger side of the car. He grabbed my hand and I shared some of my feelings of the love and joy I've experienced as his mom and my confidence he was going to do amazing at school and change the world for the better! Of course, a few wayward tears streamed down my face, tears I quickly brushed away. 

Although I tried to keep busy, my thoughts wandered. My home became eerily QUIET with noise of yesteryears. In order to focus, I decided to put my "to do list" together for work and home. Since my boys are voracious eaters, I often go food shopping several times a week, after my work appointments--at whichever supermarket is nearby.

This time, I stood frozen in the Stop & Shop entryway, mentally reviewing some shopping adjustments I had to make. "Remember," I reminded myself, "No more family size packages of meat, no jumbo bags of snacks, no gallons of milk and no need to buy anything in bulk."

As I continued into the next isle, I keeled over when I saw the familiar, flaming red box of "Cheez-It Hot & Spicy, crackers" one of my son's favorite snacks. I wasn't expecting to stand there crushed like the empty "Cheez-It" boxes my son tried to hide beside his bed, as he often didn't follow the house rule of "no eating in your bedroom." 

Sobbing, I leaned into the row of boxes shielding my face from onlookers passing by, often moms with kids in their carts.

"Mommy, MOMMY, can I have a treat.....PLEASE..." I heard one little boy plead. 

I thought, "Wasn't it just yesterday that my boys were that little in MY shopping cart, asking for all different snacks as I rushed to redirect them down the aisle? 

I took a few deep breathes and gathered my composure before grabbing my keepsake box of "Cheez-It" and redirecting myself towards the check-out. Once I got into my car, I had a good cry. I realized I have to face many changes now in the way I experience the world since my youngest child finished high school. 

There is a changing of the guards, so to speak, and  the beginning of a new era with guidelines I'll have to become accustomed to including:

1. A different  way of food shopping and cooking, especially controlling my portion size. 

2. Accepting the fact that the school bus will never be dropping anyone off at my home again.

3. Helping our dog accept this each time she hears the bus doors open two blocks away, sits and waits--before dragging me down the street when it arrives on our block. I will continue to comfort her as she forlornly looks up at me-- as if I ate her bone--when my boys are nowhere in sight when we race home.

4. Accepting I no longer will be attending local events for MY kids including: Back to School Night, sporting events, band performances, and award dinners.

5. Experiencing an overwhelming amount of emotion passing by or frequenting  places my children  used to go or accompany us to on a regular basis. It will feel strange, for example, going out to our favorite restaurants where the hostess asks, "How many will it be?" and I automatically say, "Four, no three, NO TWO." In the same fashion, setting places for a table commonly seating your entire family, now will have empty spaces.

6. Acknowledging we can no longer blame our kids for messes and lost items. This is especially true of my husband who thinks my kids are often the culprits. A few days ago, while my husband was engrossed in his work, I asked him if he saw one of my notebooks. With his eyes glued to his computer screen, my husband perfunctorily answered, "Maybe Natalia took it." "Our dog!," I retorted at the ridiculousness of such a statement. My husband gazed at me, recognized the absurdity of such a response and joined in the laughter.

7. Accepting it's hard to "let go." The child, who just last year, had to raise his hand to use the men's room or ask to leave the high school building, now must navigate life, manage his schedule, do laundry...advocate on his own behalf at the doctors and anywhere else where privacy laws dictate he now is an adult. Regardless, I still encourage both my boys to touch base with me anytime if they need advice or help in any way because I  have their back more than anyone else in the world.

8. Realizing it's going to take time to get used to the QUIET NOISE of home. Even though my kids were sometimes hanging in their rooms, on their phones avoiding us, the moments of interaction will be missed.

9. Helping our dog understand the boys aren't home anymore as she walks into their rooms looking for them and barks when she thinks they are at the front door.

10. Recognizing there will be more special moments and amazing times together, especially when they come home for breaks and holidays! It's a transition that will be followed by yet another one once our boys move out, once they get married, once they have kids.....!

My older son asked, "What on earth are you and dad going to do now that both of us are in college." My automatic response was, "We're going to go to Disney." 

It's ironic, isn't it? The older our kids get, the more childlike we tend to feel in reflecting upon the parenting journey! 

It's important to remind ourselves, as our children grow and evolve at college, so should their moms! I'm going to soar with Buzz Lightyear, to " infinity and beyond" into the next galaxy of life!

Of course, like birds, our kids will always come back to the nest we built called home!

A Mom's Reflection of Changes Once Her Son Settles into College.

Like many parents all over the world, we are adjusting to our first child leaving for college. I recall friends sending their kids in recent years, and while they were sharing their stories, the thoughts, "I'm so glad that isn't us; I'm so not ready," kept cycling through my mind. " But, like bills, times creeps- up, and before you know it, it's time to pay-up. 

Going through this college experience, I discovered there are many jolting roller coaster rides even after your child chooses which school he/she will attend: from planning & attending graduation parties, to shopping for the all the dorm-room necessities & school books/supplies to the final drop-off  & "good-bye" visit.  I was so mentally, physically-- and  most of all-- emotionally drained that by the time my son left, I was relieved. I wasn't relieved he was gone --although he had become somewhat combative with me--but that the process was over.

  

Over the last few months, I was careful to do most of my crying privately. Sometimes during everyday activities such as cooking or cleaning, a memory of his childhood would come to mind, and I'd find tears trickling down my cheek. But most of my raindrops flowed at night--and still do-- when everyone else is sleeping. Sometimes, I abruptly wake up with an aching sadness in my heart, wishing I could redo some moments in time. Of course, I'd play a lot more and worry a lot less.

   
I recognize I am part of a community of moms missing their children at school. Many of my son's friends parents and I journeyed together and shared our woes. Still, my sorrow isn't rooted as much in the fact that my son is away at college, but rather how quickly his moments with me have become memories. I want that little boy back in my arms for just a few more days. Our precious moments together, some he was too young to remember, that I relish are those of simply playing in our home, digging in the sandbox outside, taking neighborhood strolls... and snuggling. I'm so lucky to have captured some of our times together on camera to revisit since I was sleep deprived and have foggy recall of those first few years. Looking over the photos/videos has sustained me during some of these tough teenage years. And although I don't remember all the everyday details, I feel all the Mother's Love a woman is capable of whenever I reflect on our time together--as my boys are my heart and soul.

Yes, the journey has flown by as my older son is already18 years old. Even sadder is it seems as if I truly was the "apple of his eye" for only those baby years-when "Daddy" wasn't in his vocabulary yet, and the world didn't interrupt with nursery school, sports and tons of activities-- along with trying to squeeze bits and pieces of my career into the schedule. One of the best family decisions I made after my second son was born was to leave my full-time career. In order to secure my position at work and to help with finances, I had to return to my job when my first son was 10 months old--and I still feel guilty about the lost time with him. I was overwhelmed and scattered, feeling incompetent at work and at home. 

So when I discovered I was pregnant again soon after, I decided my priority is my children, and they needed me full time. I have since "reinvented" myself many times over, juggling different part-time and freelance work-- and continue to do so as I come to many cross roads and deal with various "identity crisis." Although any business person would concur, my net worth has deflated, and now it's not so easy to reenter certain professions as a woman--I would retort that any monetary value I have lost, has been replaced with an infinite amount of purpose, self worth, joy and love. My boys inspire me to pursue my passion--writing-- and I genuinely feel I made a lifelong investment in my children who will one day change the world for the better. This became a priority, and it continues to be a major intention in my life.

These are thoughts I reflect upon when my son continues to question my parenting: 

"Why are you so much stricter than all my other friend's moms," started at an early age, as did, "Why are you the only mom who wants to talk to the parents to see if they are going to be home during the party." 

The most embarrassing parental offense I committed occurred when, in sixth-grade, my son was invited to a sleep over at a boy's home. I never met the boy nor his family. When I called the mom, I jokingly said, "I'm sure you have a carbon monoxide detector," to which she responded, "No, I should , but I don't." So I purchased one and packed it in my son's overnight bag. I called the mom and graciously asked if she would plug it in. My son was mortified! I still hear about how "crazy" what I did was. But some of the other moms whose sons also attended thanked me later. But even if they hadn't, I don't care! What if something happened, and I hadn't sent it? I never would have been able to forgive myself.

As his college departure neared, the protests intensified when he wanted to stay out later than his curfew, when he felt he didn't need to check in with us if he was staying overnight at a friend's house, or when he went to his room for what I termed "leave me alone" time. Although I chastised my son and his friends for saying the phrase, "This sucks," I often found myself thinking just that in dealing with his teenage tirades and the snippy comments:

 "Well, once I got to college, you won't have any control of what time I come home." "Very true," I concurred. "But I do have a say about your fate if your grades suffer because of your outings."

 I recognize these rants are typical teenage behavior and are coping mechanisms for most teenagers to, in some way, cut the proverbial umbilical cord and gain the confidence to move out on their own. Still, it's challenging at times to avoid taking comments personally and without responding. Needless to say, I often fail and arguments ensue.

One blessing I discovered during their growing years is to find common ground with each of my kids. In addition to being involved in all their educational endeavors, I have also supported, as their 'Number One Fan," all their athletic activities. Even more, I've nurtured a few individual interests with each. The one mainstay with my older son has been has been our passion for food. The kitchen often serves as our "playing field," a place where I can score some points, talk with him about his life -- and--savor some moments to reflect upon on the "sidelines" of life. In a selfish way, I feel that every time he makes a meal or dessert we cooked together, he will think of me.

 From the time my kids were babies, they were introduced to a varied array of foods, and were marveled at by ogling patrons when my toddlers devoured adult size portions of all foods, including Mexican, Indian, and Asian, loving foods from black beans to dishes such as Tikka Masala. We have shopped, cooked, explored varied restaurants and even participated in some cooking demos/lessons. 

 In elementary school, for instance, one of my older son's friends had his birthday party at Charlie Browns. Afterwards, the parent's walked our son to the door touting, "We had a great time. Most of the kids had chicken nuggets, while your son ordered filet mignon." Then my son proudly added, "Plus, I ordered key lime pie for dessert." Of course, my husband and I thought it was funny, but I was slightly embarrassed and offered to pay the parents for his dinner. They graciously refused.

 Since then, our eldest son's passion for food has expanded as he often dabbles in the kitchen, explores new recipes and unique restaurants, as well as educates himself about nutritional foods to support his sports activities and healthy lifestyle He has food outings with his friends who he often invites over to proudly showcase some of his favorite meals/desserts, which I cook for him. 

This past summer, he shared some of his own culinary skills with friends. They cooked at both our home and at theirs where the parents were thrilled to be served what they rated a "4 star meal."

As the summer continued, so did the tug for power war as the college departure came closer. I loosened my grip while still holding my ground on certain issues, including adherence to a few nonnegotiable rules. I found it quite ironic this so called quest for "independence" mainly applied to our son scheduling his social outings; occasionally, he even offered to pay for his fun with the money he earned at his job, a position we are very proud of him for working hard at and for being praised by employers and patrons alike. 

 Meanwhile, with regard to financial, medical and academic matters, our son is quite agreeable to be a "dependent" and has been much less zealous to organize these commitments as he is in filling his social calendar. This past summer, I reminded him for weeks about ordering his books for summer coursework, completing financial applications, submitting his health forms--and keeping some free time open for dental and health check-ups.

When I went with him for his annual physical (which I, of course, scheduled), the nurse called him into the adjoining room where she explained (and I eavesdropped) he was now independent, at age 18, to restrict me from seeing or discussing his medical information. My son gazed across the pass-through at me with a wide grin and pen in hand. I wryly smiled back and simply said, "Go ahead-- restrict me-- as long as you pay your OWN medical bills." 

"NO, NO, my Mom can have complete access," he assured the nurse.

It's obvious teenagers have an ambivalence about self-reliance and their desire for independence is selective in nature. As parents it's a rocky road in choosing which battles are worth fighting, while also teaching our children the necessary skills to navigate on their own. Most importantly I believe they need to know they are loved!

 It's my hope, as a mom, that my son and I will always have a sacred bond, and that he will one day realize how challenging it is setting guidelines and enforcing rules--probably not until he's a parent himself! In fact, it would be much easier to acquiesce to his requests. Yet, it's my job to teach some life lessons while recognizing there are others he will have to learn on his own.

 A high school friend recently told me his dad often said, "If only I could put my brain into your body" so you wouldn't make so many mistakes." Unfortunately, as parents, we can't. And it's very challenging since common sense, as documented by the "experts," typically comes much later in life, especially for boys regardless of how intelligent they are.

We are still in the adjustment period since our son left for college. One major change we noticed is there are too many leftover in the fridge, so now I have to adjust the amount of food I cook. One of my son's first phone calls home was requesting we change his food plan to include "unlimited" meals, which we did. He LOVES his college, including all the varied foods and has made many friends already, friends who are amazed by how much he eats. He has repeatedly told us what a great time he's having. I am thrilled he's happy, but I often remind him of the important academic purposes of college, especially since he has several exams in the following weeks.

We've already sent a few "care" packages he was thrilled to get; one even included a collage of family/friend photos which took me several days to piece together. I'm hoping it will remind him of us, especially when making some of those challenging college choices, when one misstep can change the course of your life.

A few days ago, he came home for his first weekend visit, "Mom, can you make me some of my favorites?" Needless to say, I was cooking for many hours. I also was exhausted from running to about seven stores for everything from sheets to sneakers to toiletries to snacks. And yes, we had a few squabbles, along with a bigger argument about the importance of flossing his teeth properly.

Surprisingly, I couldn't find the huge load of laundry my son said he had to do the day before his visit home. I asked him where it was, "Mom, I did it myself last night at school because I didn't want to drag all that home to you." I was impressed-and as ridiculous as it sounds--a little sad because he is maturing in so many ways.

Once he returned to school, I received a text, followed by a phone call to share he earned a 96% on his Economics exam. I'm hoping this will help him have a new appreciation of financial matter! I am very proud of my son and want him to continue on a path, challenging his strengths and conquering some fears--always knowing he is loved and treasured beyond measure by those at home. Who knows, maybe he'll try that floss I packed in his duffel bag, even though he told me he would never use it!

 Until then, I am relishing time with his younger brother who will be leaving for college next year--and already, I just shed a tear.