My baby graduated from high school last week, so this thread is the first one I'm reading as a new member. Lots of tears for a couple of days, even feeling panicky. We have plans for a trip after we drop him at college this fall. Meanwhile, I can cry myself into a hole by remembering all the cute little boy moments, even watching little boys playing soccer in a field this morning. However, I feel better when I remember the sullen teenager of the past few years, and how excited he is to be going away to college. Letting go is a very big challenge for me as well. Blessings to all of us moms who did our best. Where are OUR diplomas? Hee hee!

Welcome Linda!! I have one son in the army, and the other will be a senior next year. It's an ambivalent time - you're sad to see them go and worry how they'll do on their own, and you are happy that you finally get some time to yourself. I'm looking forward to the trips we can make once the kids are all out on their own.

Looking forward to getting to know you!

Kathy

Hello Linda from Scotland
Enjoy this summer and your sons excitment about college..
The friends you make here will share similar feelings.
Little boys grab our hearts..
I have a beautiful boy too now a man.Also a daughter who is my dear heart.Mothers Diploma..now there is an idea.
Mountain ash

welcome linda. You are so wise to plan a trip in the fall. A neighbor friend of mine who had sent three children off to college, gave us the same advice. She said to always have soemthing to look forward to that first year. I think it's great advice. Is he going out of state?

We are heading to Florida soon for our son's college graduation. He's been all the way in Florida. I think if they're happy, we can be happy. At least that's been the way it's worked with our three.

I have two sons as most of you know and it was hard for me when they left for the first twenty minutes. Okay, okay...so it took a little longer. Sue me.

But I will tell you one trick I use all the time and you may be able to do the same. I call and invite them and their spouse/girlfriend to come for a cookout, no special occasion really, just a thank for some little something they may have done for me. When they come, I make sure I have one of their favorite dishes made and make sure I have something "special" for the daughter-in-law or girlfriend as well.

I bask in the "Oh Mom! Brownies just for me? The rest of you back off...Mother made these for ME!" Or "Wow Mother! You made my fav--deviled eggs! But I only see a dozen. What is everybody else gonna do?"

And of course, everybody would tease him/them all day. It has become somewhat of a regular thing now. They know when I call it will be a fun time, special things made they don't usually eat like brownies, deviled eggs, Red Velvet Cake, etc., and then they leave...I have my space again, but I'm practically drunk with love from their visits. We do this as often as our schedules allow.

QJJ,
You have a wonderful tradition going there. It's a fantastic idea & isn't it Great to be HIGH/drunk on LIFE & Love. I didn't have your forsight to start this early as you did. But always tried to make my son's favs when they came in from college. Now as a family we have decided somewhere -our house, one of their homes or just meet i the middle and go out to eat..we do our best to get together every 3-5 weeks at minimum. Not that it was much past that anyhow, but our efforts are more into it now.

Great idea about making his favorite foods when he returns - that would be mac and cheese and hot dogs - hee hee! He is going to Rochester Institute of Technology which is about a 5-hour drive. It's perfect for him, as he is a computer geek.
Thanks for the welcome, I'm going to enjoy this group.

Linda, let me welcome you and say that I have seen 3 leave the nest. It's never easy. That Diploma you asked about? Well, it's tatooed on our hearts.

Lindawis, first of all WELCOME to BWS. You will love it here as we all do and thats the truth.

No matter how old we get or our kids get, they are and always will be our babies and even though we think it would be nice to have some peace, quiet and order in our home when the kids leave, well when they actually do it is always mixed with many emotions. Loneliness, and not feeling needed or part of their lives anymore to name just a few...