I know for some parents, this commercial rings true. But we just
sent our oldest off to start her third year of college last weekend, and as
happens every year since she was a freshman, I’m feeling a little blue.
Of course, I’m not nearly as bad as I was her first year
away. Freshman year was the WORST! Oh mama, was I ever a basket case! Older
wiser parents assured me it would get better, but I didn’t believe them. How could
this gaping hole in my heart ever go away? Surely, I would never be happy
again.
But, believe it or not, those older, wiser parents were
right. It did get better. Eventually. So, I figured maybe I’d share a few of my
suggested “DO’s” and “DON’Ts” for those parents who have just, or are about to,
deposit their firstborn into the college life and are now trying to adjust to
daily life without them. Sooo, here goes…
DO appreciate how
clean and lovely her bedroom looks and REMAINS when she’s not currently living
in it.
DON’T dwell on
how much you miss him. Get out. Have lunch with friends. Try something new. Laugh.
DO come up with
little personal touches to let her know you’re thinking about her. Send random
videos of the family dog doing something that always makes her smile. Figure
out creative long-distance ways to share inside family jokes. Send care
packages or good old-fashioned letters.
DON’T text him
every five minutes to see how things are going. Try to hold off until at least
every ten.
DO be prepared to
participate in in-depth conversations at 12:30 a.m. on the one night you’re so
exhausted you were planning to go to bed early. Even though she’s having fun on
her new college adventure, there will still be those moments when she needs
your comfort or advice—and she’ll need it NOW.
And whatever you do, DON’T
listen to Owl City’s Vanilla Twilight! I know this is
supposed to be a simple love song, but I it fits perfectly for a parent/child
relationship as well. I know it’s tempting to click that play button down there,
but step away from the blog. (If you simply can’t resist, however, make sure
you have some tissues nearby.)
You will survive!
2 comments:
"DO make sure your care packages come with plenty of chocolate. She likes chocolate."
Love you, mama!
I always thought that the Staples commercial was both funny and sad. Sad because how can parents be so happy to send their kids off? I guess that's one of the reasons why we homeschool. I never thought the idea of sending them off for someone else to look after all day was such a joyous event. :} There are times, to be sure, when I'd gladly send them to the moon. LOL! But, overall, I enjoy the company of my kids.
Good Dos and Don'ts list. I hope my oldest son will attend the university in town for his undergrad because I don't know if I can stand having him go off for college in just two short years.
That said, my younger son is a lot of work for me to homeschool and I have no shortage of hobbies so I won't have much time to sulk about my older son being at school. ;)
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