Jenny in Florida Posted September 20, 2014 Share Posted September 20, 2014 I've been keeping busy. Between the two part-time jobs, I've been working 20-25 hours a week. I'm taking multiple MOOCs and brushing up my computer skills. I did my orientation for one volunteer organization yesterday and am scheduled for the other in a couple of weeks. My son has already been back home to visit twice and has plans to be here again next weekend. (He's working with his local dance teachers to prep for a competition in November.) We exchanged a few texts last night, including one in which he even said he loves me. My daughter rarely goes a two days without calling and/or texting and/or sending a Facebook message. Really, I'm doing better than I expected. But not today. Today, I'm kind of a mess. EVERYTHING gets to me. I'm listening to an audiobook about Eleanor of Aquitaine (in whom I've been interested since I was a child, meaning that nothing in this book is new information or comes as a surprise to me), and I keep finding myself weeping over her upsets. I'm home by myself this evening and decided to catch up on some episodes of Parenthood on Netflix, and it's getting to me, too. It's just ridiculous. I really thought, since things had been going well for me, that I was adapting. Ugh. How are the rest of you parents-of-your-last-freshman folks doing? Tell me you're doing really, really well so that it will spark my competition gene and get me back on track? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmrich Posted September 20, 2014 Share Posted September 20, 2014 hugs I cried after my son announced he might apply to a school far away. Just apply mind you... I think it is ok to let yourself feel sad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katilac Posted September 20, 2014 Share Posted September 20, 2014 You are doing well! You're keeping admirably busy and stretching your horizons. You're allowed the occasional wallow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenny in Florida Posted September 20, 2014 Author Share Posted September 20, 2014 I think it is ok to let yourself feel sad. You're allowed the occasional wallow. Thanks, both of you. A good wallow seems to be what I'm doing tonight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bugs Posted September 20, 2014 Share Posted September 20, 2014 :grouphug: to you! My kids are still around home (one graduated this past June and the other is going 100% DE) and I no longer homeschool and I get to be a mess on some days. I think when one is alone and quiet is when the reality sets in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
regentrude Posted September 20, 2014 Share Posted September 20, 2014 Hugs. I am taking my DD to college soon, and will join the wallowing shortly thereafter. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sunshine State Sue Posted September 20, 2014 Share Posted September 20, 2014 I am truly happy for ds. We have had a few text conversations that surprised and impressed me. I do find myself crying over a movie or a book or a play. I think the tears need to come out one way or another. It's okay. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starr Posted September 20, 2014 Share Posted September 20, 2014 They haven't both been gone long enough to get used to it in any fashion. Weep on. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pawz4me Posted September 20, 2014 Share Posted September 20, 2014 I agree that it's important to allow ourselves to feel sad and weepy. Crying always seems so therapeutic to me. Fighting what you feel only seems to make things worse. :grouphug: :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
creekland Posted September 20, 2014 Share Posted September 20, 2014 Time takes a while to heal and life has changed significantly, so the healing is more for a major deal than a minor one. I allow myself a day (or two) to feel down in the dumps. Then I pick myself back up and move on. It helps to remind myself that we've done our job well, but it also helps to do something (or eat something - or both) that I enjoy. It's not the same. I acknowledge that. It's getting used to the new normal which I know must be done. It does get better. The beginning is the worst IME. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brenda in MA Posted September 21, 2014 Share Posted September 21, 2014 I've actually been doing pretty well. I've really felt uplifted by the many friends who were praying for me and my son. He seems to be doing well, and so I'm happy. I'm keeping busy around here. It does feel a bit quiet sometimes, but I've taken to playing more CDs that I can sing along to. I am looking forward to seeing him at parents' weekend in a couple of weeks. For me, the worst part was last spring (March/April) when the reality of him leaving seemed to really set in. I think it was the process of making the final decision of where he was going while trying to finish up school, plan the graduation party, etc. Hope you feel better soon, Jenny. Brenda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-rap Posted September 21, 2014 Share Posted September 21, 2014 :grouphug: :grouphug: For me, it was hardest when our first left, because I knew it was the beginning of the end! After five leaving, I find that they come home a lot too, or we go there. We rarely go a week without seeing one now, and someone is usually living at home for a time as well. (Our son and his wife were here for two months over the summer, which was great!) So, we're actually doing okay. :) But, that first one leaving was really hard... It sounds like you are a close family and your kids keep in good contact. It will start feeling better eventually! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaybee Posted September 21, 2014 Share Posted September 21, 2014 It's a type of grief, and grief is cyclical. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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