Packing My *Baby* Up For College! Musings of an...

Well, the time has finally come for our youngest child to head off to college. We've been accumulating all his necessary stuff for weeks, and have been washing/organizing/packing in earnest for the past few days.

He's got 3 duffel bags filled with clothes - mostly tee shirts and shorts, a few pairs of jeans and khakis, a couple of hoodies, and lots and lots of socks and boxers so he won't have to do laundry too often!

Then there's all that gear - laptop, surge protector, cables, mini-fridge, microwave, flat screen tv, sheets, towels, assorted mattress pads, pillows, etc, etc.

It's hard to believe that we will be driving him up to UConn tomorrow morning, and coming home as official EMPTY-NESTERS.

A bittersweet event, for sure...

I know that I'll be sad and I'll really miss my boy for a while. But hopefully my husband and I will adjust and begin to enjoy our return to a more carefree lifestyle.

Has anyone else been through this transition recently? Any coping tips would be appreciated!

Comments: 14

Kushal Poddar Aug 27, 2009, 10:02pm UTC

A touching moment.

Karen A. Aug 27, 2009, 10:12pm UTC

Yes, it is. I'm not the sentimental type, and I rarely get weepy, but I know I will have a lump in my throat when I leave my boy at school. :-(

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Michelle C. Aug 27, 2009, 10:04pm UTC

there seem to many having this experience. all of mine are adults & out on their own, thank goodness. there is no easy way to adjust. just takes time to figure out how you want to spend your time. good luck!! :)

(uconn huskies men's basketball rules!!! one of my favorite ncaa basketball teams!!!)

Karen A. Aug 27, 2009, 10:16pm UTC

Thanks, Michelle!

Yes, the UConn teams are great! A big draw for the school, and makes it rather competitive to get in these days.

My son fell in love with UConn when we set foot in Gampel Pavillion on our tour last summer. He was very excited to have gotten accepted. He wrote his college essay about lessons he learned from my father-in-law, who was a UConn grad and played on the football team (He's 91 now and still going strong!)

Michelle C. Aug 27, 2009, 11:28pm UTC

how cool.....your son is going to his grandfathers alma mater!!! :)

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Nora D. Aug 27, 2009, 10:11pm UTC

It IS difficult.........our son is in his third, third and a half year of college.......he did move out on his own for quite awhile, when he was attending a local 2-year college.........it was really difficult for me, and I cried and cried.........well, eventually, he moved back home, as he's now attending a 4-year univeristy just two miles from our house. He found out it's pretty expensive living out in "the real world!" However, he doesn't drive yet (he's 22), so now that he's moved back home, Mom is running back and forth, to and from his morning job, then to and from college.
Good luck! It is hard at first, but you do/will get used to it and will really enjoy the quiet and time for YOU!

Karen A. Aug 27, 2009, 10:21pm UTC

Thanks, Nora!

I hope things are working out for your son and he has gotten his financial aid squared away.

My oldest son commuted to college too. He went to a university about 20 minutes away, and we saved a lot of money by having him live at home. He graduated 3 years ago, and lived at home until last year when he moved to Boston. He just moved closer to home, to a great little apartment about 10 mins from us. It's actually nice having him nearby (he moved back 2 days ago!) since we are moving the younger boy out!

My daughter ended up going to college 5 hours away (Vermont) which was way too far! She graduated last year and is working and living in NYC. Just an hour from here, and I love to visit her! She also loves escaping the hectic city and coming home to the "country" so she visits every few weekends.

Yes, they leave, they come back, they leave, etc...

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roger s. Aug 27, 2009, 10:31pm UTC

A very sad moment indeed,But the beginning of adulthood

Karen A. Aug 27, 2009, 10:35pm UTC

Yes, I guess so. I just hope he remembers all of those lessons I've been drilling into his little head - i.e. - no drugs, minimal alcohol, safe sex, etc.

Good thing is that he has a rigorous courseload (Biomedical Engineering major) which will leave little time for fooling around.

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Loretta E. Aug 28, 2009, 2:05am UTC

I agree it is hard when your child leaves to go off to college...mine went to USF which was about 2 hrs from home, he took an off campus apartment close to school. I had the pleasure of him bring me his month's worth of laundry and getting home cooked meals, so be prepared for that part of sending them off to college too. LOL

Karen A. Aug 30, 2009, 9:32am UTC

I am actually looking forward to his visits home, even if they do include mounds of laundry, mega-eating, etc. And I know that, for all that tuition we pay, the kids come home for month-long vacations.

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