In honor of all my fellow parents who have recently launched or are about to launch their children into the college experience and a world away from home. As we were so eloquently told by school administrators on move-in day, “Parents, you are no longer your child’s front line. You’ve done your job; now we will do ours.”
Bittersweet? You bet.
Visual Venturing 
Nice!
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Thanks, Luis!
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My daughter will fly next year
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Then you’ve got a lot going on this year, don’t you, Rajiv? Each event last year with my daughter oftentimes found me thinking, “well, this is the last time we’ll experience this” or “she won’t be home for this next year.” But now we have a lot of exciting new firsts to look forward to. It all seems to balance out as our lives move on. Best of luck as you traverse this year with your daughter!
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Let’s hope they do it right then. Really neat photo.
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Amen to that, Ida! Thanks so much.
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Perfect photo for these thoughts!! Poignant and exciting too!
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Thanks, Cybele ❤️ I can happily report that she seems to be doing just fine 🙂
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🙂
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I am in the process of going through it in the next six monthsl.. All I can say, no matter how well one plans, when it comes, it always creates panic, worry and stress. The kids somehow manage it better, just as we did when we went to college.. 🙂 All the best
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Oh, how I don’t envy you the process, Rajesh. It can be such a crazy, hectic, anxiety-filled time. It was such a different experience when I went through it, but then we’re talking more years than I care to admit 😉 And you’re right – the kids are so ready to be on their own that they seemingly eagerly jump into their new worlds, while we’re left to adjust to the gap that’s left at home. But that’s as it should be. Thanks for commenting, and best of luck as you journey through the next six months!
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Good luck to your family! I am not far behind you. I have one in college now and my youngest graduates this upcoming May. It is a scary and exciting time for them both. I want to keep them my babies, but they need to fly. I just want to make sure they fly safely though. I hope your family enjoys their journey on this new chapter!
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Ah, Michelle, so you’re in the incredibly stressful senior year! Much luck to your youngest. I do have to admit that I am relieved to not have to experience THAT again. Here’s to safe flying for all our children!
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Amen Stacy! It has been interesting so far for my young man: college visiting, Eagle Scout researching, car customizing, dating, and working all between classes. Not sure how the boy finds time to sleep. May he survive this year (and me too).
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The energy of youth 🙂 Remember when we could do all that? 😉
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I’ve been thinking a lot about parents who are sending their kids off for the first time, and hoping parents and kids alike are hanging in there. My oldest is a sophomore in college this year. Sending her this year was so much easier than when she was a freshman. Goodness I was a mess until she started her second semester. It’s not so much that I missed her, but more that I was worried!
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Oh, how right your are about the worry, Lisa! Yes, I do miss her, but above all just want her to be safe. Our favorite family saying is “make good choices,” and I can only hope that that soundtrack plays in her mind as she makes her way in her new, bigger world. We’ve sent her two older brothers off and they’ve navigated their college and post-college lives wonderfully; but sending off your youngest and your daughter is somehow a different experience! So glad to hear your second-year send-off was much easier 🙂 Thanks so much for commenting.
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Oh that would make me cry telling you that! Your photo epitomizes the journey, saying goodbye looking at her back with her in the distance walking towards an area that you cannot see clearly but looks great from where you stand. It am sure it won’t be long before you relish in your new found freedom to do what you like and you are doing the same as your daughter heading into the unknown on a great adventure 🙂
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Okay, Kaz, I have to say that as I read your beautifully worded comment, I started to get a little catch in my throat. You’ve stated in words the emotions I felt as I shot this picture. And you’re right – a new phase of life for my hubby and me, with so many possibilities in store! Thanks so much ❤️
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Nice photo. Deeeeeeep breath. Exhale. Probably been doing a lot of that, huh?
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I think I’ve now progressed to the “she’s okay; I’m okay” phase, Lisa 😀 Thanks!
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That is an amazing photo Stacy! And so true about our children. I often think we need to change the idiom ‘raising children’ to ‘raising adults’ if we think of it that way then there would be a little less angst when the time comes for them to spread those wings we have so carefully nurtured. And as you know, if we did our job right, they never truly leave altogether anyway. I just spent a week with both my ‘girls’ here on our annual get-together-girls-only-time-out-of-real-life-beloved-event ……….. but by weeks end I am really glad to see them return to their lives and me return to mine again 🙂
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I had a great laugh over the end of your comment, Pauline 🙂 but how wonderful to spend time together like that – it’s heartwarming to know our kids still do want to spend time with us, even if it’s for a short time 🙂
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I have four kids. One is out. The next one should be going to school next year. If you do the best job during the first 13, then they will be able to cope with the real world. Good luck and congratulations
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You’re so very right, Luis, thanks! Congratulations on launching the first 🙂
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oh yes, that memory is still fresh with me. you’ve brought back that heart-wrenching feeling I had in the pit of my stomach with this evocative image. but, as they say, we must give them wings…and I’m so glad I did. 🙂
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Parenthood – a world of swirling emotions that will never end, no matter how old we get and how old our children get, right? But what a wonderful rollercoaster it is. Thanks for your comment, Susan. To know my image resonated with you so strongly is, indeed, high compliment.
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Scary isn’t it. 🙂
All three of my girls have flown the nest, moved out, moved back in, and out again on numerous occasions.
It’s pointless me saying don’t worry, but really, don’t worry, if you’ve done “your job” right, it will never be done, you’ll just take a slightly lesser role in it now.
Enjoy the ride. 🙂
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Thanks for your thoughts, Sallyann! My daughter has two older brothers who “launched” quite a while ago. While each was difficult in their own right, I still remained the “front line” with the others at home. This time, those words really resonated as my “front line” is truly now over. And you’re so right – we’ve been blessed to have the first 18 years to help guide and mold and now we have to trust that journey. Life! Such a rollercoaster, but as you say, what a ride! Kudos to you on shepherding three 🙂
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