Freshman orientation

 Or how I deal with stress post LB...a lesson still in progress.

I brought my oldest dd to her freshman college orientation program today.  I am so darn proud of her! And yet so ambivalent about her growing up and going away to school.  She is so ready and I know it's time, but oh how it makes my heart hurt.  I have no idea how she grew from the precious little baby I brought home into the lovely young woman I brought to orientation today.  

I went to the parent program, which was very good and only teared up a few times (luckily she was in the student portion lol).  My damn brain wanted to eat anything and everything.  Bandzilla said no.  I did have a cookie and some ice cream.  BUT I also walked everywhere including an hour during our lunch break and a good 45 minute after the program to the student bookstore and then all the way back across campus to the parking garage.  It felt good to work out my anxiety by exercise.  

So not perfect, but I'm ok with it.

Man I can't even think about august ...But I'll get thru it, right? 

I'm right there with you!  We have 2 days of orientation in less than 2 weeks for our DS.   


DD just got hired as a CNA on a Cardiac, Renal & Oncology floor,  at the hospital that I work at. It was a stressful day today. I really hoped she would get the job.  She's on the waiting list for the RN program and only has one prerequisite class left to take. 

I've been on vacation for the last 18 nights and go back tomorrow noc.  So much has happened in the last 18 days, graduation, getting ready for the grad party, vacation and DD getting hired.  Ughhhh

We will get through this!  It was so much easier when they were in grade school! hahaha

Take care,
Kristi

When my daughter went off to college I was so damn proud of her.  She was the first one on both sides of the family to go to a 4 year college.  She deserved it too...she worked so hard to get accepted to a really good school and even got scholarships too.  She had the full college experience and I know it was the most fun she ever had.  Your daughter will look back at this time in her life as the best.  She will make some great memories and make some great friends.  My daughter met her future husband (they get married in 2 weeks...yikes!!!).  She's now getting her master degree.  The sad part for me will come when she goes off to the Peace Corp next year and she will be gone for 2 whole years!!!  I won't see her for two years...she will be off living in a hut in some third world country...making the world a better place...blah, blah, blah...all I care about is I won't see her for 2 years!!!

They grow up so fast.   

I know a lot of parents cry but I guess I didn't feel like crying.  I was a little sad that she was moving away but 98% of me was happy, happy, happy.  Now I am hoping I don't cry at her wedding and mess up my make up!!!! 

Oh you will get through it, My dd went off to University in another province last year..... hectic week with the grad, prom, etc.... knew she was accepted to University, but didn't really process that meant she would be AWAY from me, lol!   When it hit me, (there was no orientation for parents) it was during the first week of July, and then I couldn't even talk about it, I referred to her "going away to camp" haha.. it was how I kept from tearing up at the idea.  BUT, September came, took her to the airport to fly out with her stuff, cried, then cried on the way home, but not for her, for me, cause I was sad- she was excited to go!!  It was fine after a day or so... you will miss them but it gets easier.  You will be fine, and you get to watch what a beautiful adult they turn out to be..... it's like the first time you push them off on their bikes without their training wheels!!
Hope this helps!
Shannon

I feel your pain but rejoice in her accomplishments:) My son went away to college two years ago. We live in Florida and he chose a school in Indianapolis, IN. I drove up there with him because he wanted his car and I wanted to help get him settled in his dorm. When he took me to the airport to fly home I thought I was gonna die. After I got home I got back in the swing of things and it was ok. But, everything he would visit I would go thru the separation anxiety all over again and then after a few days I would be fine. My precious little boy is now a young man and I love it!!!
You will get thru it......

 Thanks for the responses

I'm a very independent woman, and have always fostered that in my kids.  I am so proud of my dd and her accomplishments.  I'm just so surprised I'm so emotional about this.  I can't seem to control it.  I'm so happy for her, and I wouldn't say I'm sad...just really emotional.  

I feel like life is going by far too fast and it's so good now :)

I remember taking my daughter to freshman orientation three years ago.  She attends a college about 7 hours north of home.  Her father and I were divorced when she was three, so it's always just been her and me so I thought I would have a terrible time when she went away, but I was so happy she was going to have the real college experience - I was a commuter student all through college.  But once she was at school, it was so much easier than expected.  I missed her, but we talked every day and skyped as well.  I really had no chance to really miss her, lol.  I soon learned I loved being an empty nester.  I had my band surgery, went back to school for my masters, which I just completed and finally have me time again. 

It may seem tough now, but having gone to orientation and getting to know the school yourself a little bit, you'll know she's going to do well and have a great time.  You'll do fine, too, believe me!  And the time goes so quickly.  I can't believe my daughter will be starting her last year and will be able to graduate next spring!  It's hard to finish in four years these days, but she'd doing it.

Have a great day!

cat