29 days till my boy goes to Maine

My oldest is starting his 3rd year, also in Maine at Maine Maritime. My middle son will be starting college in Connecticut in a couple of weeks. Covid is making their arrivals a little more complicated and different than expected. It is hard and I’ve had moments with both of them leaving when I just cried (not in front if them). I keep holding onto the thought that they are both confident in their choices of colleges and are looking forward to being on campus this fall. I feel like both schools are a good match for them and am reassured by the colleges plans for covid. Hang in there, it does get a little easier.

3 weeks from today and we will be half way home from dropping DD off for her first year.... about 16hrs away😢😢

Wonderful for him to go alone.  He has confidence!

This isn't about YOU, but about HIM, starting his independent life.  Let go. 

I’ll admit that I cried off and on all that spring of DS’s senior year. I knew it was all changing and it would never be the same again. He has Asperger’s and he took a lot of mentoring, especially in middle school. Most of that fell on me. I did pretty well moving him in, but did the ugly cry after getting in the car.

But the thing that they don’t tell you is how wonderful it is to see your kid grow into an adult. To see them bloom and come into their own. To see them becoming adults.

It’s sad to see one chapter closing, but what’s to come can be the best part.

Both my DD and DS went away from home for their Junior and Senior years of high school, so I do know that feeling of your baby leaving home.

They are now a 5th year senior and a sophomore at their universities, and believe it or not, it does get easier with each passing year.

Yes, there are still tears and that ache of missing your child, but the fear of them living on their own is lessened with each passing year and you see them mature and their confidence grow.

Although I will say that this year has thrown most of that fear back in the window with all of the safety concerns over the virus. And my biggest concern is not that my children will not follow the safety procedures, because I know they are serious about wanting to stay at school and take their classes. I'm worried about those self centered kids who think they're invincible and not doing what they should to help make others safe. <end rant>

Hang in there Mom, and take care of yourself. It really is true when they say it is harder on you than it is on them. They are going out on a new adventure and you are left at home with memories and worry. Don't feel bad for feeling sad or shedding tears. Be gentle on yourself.

BTDT x 2. It’s so bittersweet. When my kids came home I stocked up on all their favorite foods.

Know that Bar Harbor is a fabulous town.  Visit often because it’s full of great things to do and Acadia National Park that includes Cadillac Mountain, Thunder Hole and even a beach (Sandy Beach)!  And here’s a head’s up. A total eclipse of the sun occurs April 8, 2024. I’m guessing your son will be a senior then. Totality in Maine will be about 2 hours NW of Bar Harbor.  My daughter lives in Bangor and can you bet I’m headed up there! Just an hour flight away from DCA for us. 

It feels "impossible" right now, huh.

It will get better with every little step they take to becoming a able adult.  It's hard though.   My DD was at a local college for freshmen year and then transferred sophomore year, also determined to go on their own.  It was tough, all the mama in me wanting to help.  In hindsight, that is definately one of those steps that made a more independent person out of my DD, with many more that followed.

How far away are you from the college?  It will "be fine" either way, but I readily admit that having to travel for a monthly treatment at the  hospital in college town made it easier.  For me.  DD would have grown wings with out me.

On the other hand, my DS is entering 3rd year, just ordered all his books, to study from home.  All online are the courses he is taking.  That too is fine with me, it suits him better than it would have DD and with covid it'd be awful lonely without him being here, even if he works and is on his own in his part of the house much of the time.  It feels less hollow.  Glad for his presence. 

 Hugs. It gets easier, or more "used to it" with each passing day. Especially as you watch them grow and thrive.