It's time! Our babies are moving away to college!

Hello Friends, especially mom and dads! I hope you're doing well in this hot summer weather. Back in May I took a poll and asked if you were ready to send your son or daughter away to college? About 75 percent said no.  Since then, many parents have communicated with me that they are not ready to send their son or daughter away. They feel nervous and unsure. Many of us have sons and/ or daughters that have already taken off for college, moved out of the family home, or are getting ready to move away to college. I can relate and understand how you feel. So many mixed emotions overwhelm both the parent and the student. You or the student may experience anxiety, sadness, anger, a bit of confusion, but happiness can also be in the mix of feelings. I understand completely this mix of feelings and I firmly believe that those are all perfectly normal feelings in this type of situation. We have no idea how they will feel being away from us for so long or even how we will get along without them. Many questions come through our mind. We might wonder, “How are they going to live? What will they eat? Will they be alone? When can I see him/her.  How often can we talk? Will they go out late at night? Who will be their friends?” These are just a few. I am no counselor or an expert on family affairs, but I hear you and I understand what you may be going through. 

Throughout the years, I have met many amazing families during events and activities associated with school, sports, church, and my work. We have shared our experiences and have been there for each other.  I have seen others experience the transition of sending their baby/ babies away to college or away to begin their own life away from them, the parent. We, my husband, and I, share personally the exact same experience. Every family is different, and every situation is different. Every parent has their own way of running their household and how they raise their children. When my first son moved out to attend college and pursue his career, it was not easy for us. It also affected our smaller ones. We learned and tried to adjust as time went by. When our second son moved away to attend college, it still was not easy. That is why I say every situation is different and every family is different. But I understand many of you parents, especially the mamas out there and I feel your pain. I would like to offer you some comfort and support. I believe when we share, many can find answers, comfort and learn new and old ways of doing things that can help our families. By no means am I saying that the way I raised my children, or run my household is better than your way. What I am saying is that we can all learn from each other. I would like to help you. I would like to share some tips, information, and thoughts that helped our family better transition to the moving away and temporary life without them when they moved out. These same ideas continue to help us presently. I also invite you, the parents, that are going through the experience of sending your son or daughter to college to also share what has helped or is helping you. We are here to help each other, to learn, and to grow. If you don't like what you read or hear on my posts, just toss that in the trashcan. What you do like, try to learn from those ideas, and perhaps even put them to practice. We don't lose anything by having an open mind to others or by sharing with others. We might be surprised and delighted at what a great and positive difference others can have on our lives, especially those going through the same experiences we are. Stay tuned for future  

posts on this topic.