[UUMom]

I can't find that thread we had about our first leaving for school, so new thread. How did it go? Mine is home on break and I am so enjoying having all of my ducklings back. He only came home one other time -- so this is the first chunk of time we've had together since August! That was so hard for me. He did fine...he seems excited about schoool, very talkative and sharing about a couple of profs he found exciting. He made dean's list with a 3.95. One gut course of a seminar, but the rest were pretty intense, calc and chemistry, a history (major) class, a couple of music (minor) classes. He's home for a couple more weeks and then he's gone again. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/greensad.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="greensad"> But it's exciting to see him excited. He's been doing drywall over vacation to earn some money, so I know he's eager to go back to school and leave that behind. lol

 

[enkmom]

My daughter just went back Sunday. She was home for about a month, and it was nice to see her, I just didn't feel like we really got to connect. She is DEFINITELY growing up and away! She worked a lot, her boyfriend came to stay for a few days, and she went to Kansas City to spend New Year's with her new friends. Her grades were middling, but she knows what she has to change. I think she may be changing her major, and she is excited about her new classes.<br><br>
It was a little sad to hear her talk about her college as "home", but I am thrilled that she is so happy. My son leaves for college this fall, and was accepted to the same school. I think he may choose it, which really makes me happy.

 

[SusanElizabeth]

My oldest is a junior. She goes back on Thursday. I get used to her being home, and it's always hard for me when she leaves. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/mecry.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="crying">

 

[doctorjen]

My oldest is a sophomore. His break was earlier and he was only home for 2 weeks this time, 1 week of which he worked also. He brought his girlfriend home for break this time, which was nice.<br><br>
This year, I've really seen a shift in our relationship. He struggled his freshman year with grades and figuring out how to plan out his own time. This year, he's taken a much more adult and proactive role. He has a great internship, a lovely girlfriend, some great roommates, and he did much better this last term grade wise.<br><br>
It's so fun for me to hear about his classes and his friends, and all their activities. When I went to college he was a tiny nursling toddler when I started, so his experience is a lot different than mine so far and it's like I get the chance to enjoy the college experience in a way I didn't when I was there as a single parent.<br><br>
Our relationship is really developing into more of an adult relationship and I really enjoy that. We talk about our days, and our plans, and what have you the way I do with my friends, not how I do with my littler kids. He has grown into such an adult, complete with extensive plans for the future. We have the kind of relationship I hope to have with all my kids as they grow up, and yet I am wistful a bit still for his childhood. This year was the first year we've had of taking into account another family's Christmas plans (the girlfriend's family) and while this year I could certainly have just insisted that we do it our way and he be there, it made me realize how much he doesn't belong to me any more. In just a short time he'll be calling all his own shots. I don't mean to make this sound negative - he's such a loving, caring, enjoyable person to be with and we have a great relationship that is stronger since he left for college if anything, but I feel that this year we've crossed some invisible line and left childhood behind and things will never quite be the same.

 

[UUMom]

I'm jsut so glad I got this time with him. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/love.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="love"> It will become shorter and shorter as the years go by. My son has been so out in the world for so long. He travelled with a jazz band, and that was a few years ago. It was at that point I realized he was a man and my role as a 'mommy' was ovah. I love and enjoy the man he is, but that little boy was my introduction into motherhood, and it was very, very special. Today is his 19th b'day and it's hard to imagine how quickly time has passed. He's so mature and interesting. It's compelling to think it was nearly 20 whole years ago that I found out I was pregnant. It simply doesn't feel like that. But that's what they all say. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile">

 

[lindsaye3]

Mine went back to school last week. He spent most of his time staying with my parents (60 miles away from us) because he had a job nearby. But he did stay 4 days at Christmas. It was fun having him around. We hung out and played lots of board games and other stuff. He was even nice to his little brother. His grades were excellent, which was really nice.<br><br>
The big downer was he wrecked his (our) car. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/greensad.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="greensad"> Total accident and he was ok, which of course is the main thing. He was going to work and couldn't stop on some ice and badda bing ... no more car.<br><br>
I'm glad everyone had a nice visit with their kids. This fall was quite an adjustment at first, but I am kind of use to him not coming home in the evening and have even adjusted the groceries to him not being here. Of course, during the visits he totally wiped out all food supplies. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/img/vbsmilies/smilies/eat.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Eat">:

 

[MCR]

My oldest is a sophomore (Bus Major) I dropped him back on Saturday afternoon. He was home for three weeks over the holidays, one of his college friends came and stayed with us over new years, It was nice to get to know his best friend (Eng and Math Major).<br>
They are hoping that next year Ds will be able to share the university apartment that the friend is living in, this year he's in the dorm and his friend shares with two international students who spend most of the time speaking in German.<br>
Ds and his bud spend thier time playing guitars and writing/recording music.<br>
He has grown so much I'm starting to feel comfortable with the change in role. No longer the protective Mama, I try to get Dh to cut him slack and trust him and his decisions.