Well, we've done this with 3 kids already...perhaps you will be so worn out (like I was), that you won't have a "melt-down" until you've driven off campus! My 1st was actually 2 kids (twins), and that was truly difficult. It was a dramatic difference going from 6 people right down to 4.

You should adjust, but don't beat yourself up for missing your precious child!

My heart still drops when they leave again after being home for the summer break or the holidays, but I know how well they have done, and that really does boost my spirits.

Well I know I will be tired as we are driving home friday afternoon....8 hrs...then a 3 hr drive sat. to college...then taking her shopping for her tv, and printer...then back home 3 hrs. Then driving back sunday 8 hrs...so maybe I will be great til we are long gone!! Stacy

Stacy: That is so true...all those "last minute" errands to do along with all of what you've done for the past year just adds up to total exhaustion.

After we drove our twins off to college and got them settled in, I told my hubby to stop off at a restaurant/bar (I didn't want to have my meltdown at home in front of our other 2 kids). I had my cry in a booth with DH reaching across the table. It wasn't a total meltdown due to location, etc...but I felt like life would be O.K., and THAT is the goal!

Giving you a BIG hug...you'll do fine after you allow yourself a "release".

If I can give you one P.S. Your daughter may not contact you a bunch at first, but hold yourself back...allow her some freedom, and I'll bet she'll be calling frequently and start coming home on weekends if the travel distance is not too great.

A life changing experience for her.

You'll do just fine, Stacey!

don't dread it! from the time our kids were born, we stressed a college education...when we attended 5 graduations (one got her masters) we knew it was the best thing we had ever done!

not saying it wasn't scary...and had some less than stellar moments...(like the tear gas in dd2 apt. after state won the final 4 basketball) and i thought we'd never get ds1 to stop taking classes at the community college (he took 63 credits to state)...

besides...thanksgiving break is just a heartbeat (and 15 loads of laundry) away!

embrace the change!

What a life change that will be. Aren't you proud of what you both accomplished? You raised her, and she is ready. ;)

Good luck to you both. Isn't she coming here, near me?

Moni

With first child (only DD) going off to college, I cried for the whole 2 hours and 45 minutes it took for me to get home! Then each time when I would visit or drop her back off I cried for a shorter time. After the first summer back, I was ready for her to go back to college, as was she.
When each of the boys (3) went to college, it was a whole new ballgame. Hooray! They're gone!
Kathy G in MI

It's an exciting time in your Sydney's life & you'll do fine Stacy. I know you're so proud of her.

I did fine taking ds off to college...... it made me want to go back (or wish I could do it all over again).

It was a few weeks later, driving home after work around midnight, a country music song Keep It Between the Lines by Ricky Van Shelton came on the radio. I started bawling my eyes out..... Fortunately was only a couple miles from home. To this day the song takes me back to that night & brings tears to my eyes.

He was sitting beside me in the passenger seat
As I looked through the windshield at the quiet little street
He was smiling so proud as he gave me the key
But inside I knew he was as nervous as me

And I said daddy oh daddy are you sure I know how
Are you sure that I'm ready to drive this car now
He said I'm right here beside you and you're gonna do fine
All you gotta do is keep it between the lines

'Cause it's a long narrow road
Only the good Lord knows where it leads in the end but you got to begin
So keep your hands on the wheel believe in the things that are real
Just take your time and keep it between the lines

I was sitting in my chair and sneaking a look at him
Lying on the floor with his coloring book
Then he caught me watching and he climbed on my knee
He said daddy oh daddy would you do one with me

Then I hugged him so tightly as we turned the page
Said I haven't done this since I was your age
He said I'm right here beside you and you're gonna do fine
Daddy all you gotta do is keep it between the lines

So we finished the picture and I put him to bed
Got down on my knees and I bowed my head
And I said father oh father I feel so alone
Are you sure I can raise him with his mommy gone

Then the answer came back so gentle and low
And words of my daddy from so long ago
Said I'm right here beside you and you're gonna do fine
All you gotta do is keep it between the lines

So keep your hands on the wheel believe in the things that are real
Take your time and keep it between the lines
Just take your time and keep it between the lines
Just take your time and keep it between the lines

Stacy, I think the hardest one for me was the first one. I knew our family life was changing permanently. However, I tried to keep uppermost in my mind our DDs viewpoint: excitment mixed with a little fear, promising future, going to her #1 school choice, new friends, etc.

My other bit of advice is to bake cookies or put together a care package and mail it to her before you leave to take her to school so that after you leave her, she will have mail that next day from you.

What a wonderful adventure. Be brave, Mom.

My DD moves back this coming Sunday-she is a sophomore this year
Last year I cried all the way home, this year I won't.
She loves school and has made a lot of new friends and she is just having the best experience of her life right now, I have never seen her happier.
Good luck, you will be fine and trust me she will be great. Everytime you talk to her something new and exciting will be going on.

I somehow managed not to cry the last 2 years we moved DD to college (which was an hour and a half away from home). She was staying in a nice dorm with the seperate bedrooms like Sydney has this year. If your kid seems happy, you can't help but to be happy for them.

This year she is going to a bigger school 3 hours away and she'll be crammed in a little dorm room with 2 other girls. I know she won't be home as often and I'm afraid she won't like the living arrangements... so there may be some tears shed this time around.

My oldest never went to college, but when she moved to her own apartment, I cried too. Because, like sheilajoyce said, I knew life, as I'd known it for so long, was changing. Then I cried again two years later as my #2 daughter moved to California. But, the last 2 DD's were a little later to move out on their own, and still stayed close.
It's an emotional time for you. But also an exciting time for her. You can be proud Stacy.
Leslie

Stacy, my heart goes out to, it's not easy letting them go. I held up better when my first left for college, but was a total mess for weeks when my last son left for college. I felt like my "mom job" was over and didn't know what the heck to do with my life. I had to keep his bedroom door shut because I couldn't stand to look at the empty room. It took awhile to get over it, but all is well.

Hang in there Stacy. I'm sending you a big hug!

I think it's normal to be sad when your "little ones" leave the nest. I didn't cry until we were almost to the car and turned around and saw my daughter standing and waving from the dorm doorway. She looked so little and I just lost it. Can you tell she's an only child? I'm tearing up just thinking about it!!

If nothing else, you'll be crying from exhaustion. Wow, you've really got a full weekend ahead of you.

Well poop I shouldn't have read all these replies as I am sitting here bawling now!! This is not going to be good! Poor Brian course he is just as bad....He cried on her last day of HS and after graduation.....we will both be awful!! Stacy

Huh !I am sitting here sobbing and I don't have a child going off to college, but I do have my grandaughter going off to school..and that is bad enough... Stacy...good luck, start buying the tissues now.

june

Stacy, here is aqote that you might want to remind yourself of "It is useful occasionally to look at the past to gain a perspective on the present."

Think back to when Sydney was younger and let those be happy tears!

Sue

Both my boys moved out at the same time to go to college. Talk about life changing! But it's good. And you'll be fine. Just think of how proud you are for all she's accomplished. It wasn't that long ago she couldn't even go to school and look at her now! What a great thing. You have a loving, strong family and I know ya'll will stay close even while she's away in college.

But....you might want to stick a kleenex in your pocket. LOL

A couple of things -- get her roommate's cell phone & be sure she has yours for emergencies.. She should have university email - but let her know which address you'll be using...
If she's going to a large city & you have the normal big box type stores near you -- you can order locally for pick up at the ones in the town of the university...

I live in a university town & all the locals avoid BB&B, Target, KMart, Sam's, etc. when the students start returning..
I know you'll miss her... but send her regular mail stuff like the cartoons you laugh at - or stuff clipped from local paper [or send her a subscription?] any way! She's off to a great adventure & you've prepared her excellently! [take an extra box of tissues for the home trip... )