Sad Times...first one flying the coop

[qtlaw]

First son is leaving for college this week (its quarter system), sensitive times with wifey. He's starting his freshman year at UW in Seattle, what a wonderful school and setting. I ricochet between accepting it for what it is, can't stop life, and then reminiscing about his childhood. I asked him to play catch in the backyard yesterday afternoon and it was so sweet hearing the sound of the leather snapping, remembering when we did it 10 years earlier. Mom came out and took a picture and then shed some tears.

 

[MisterCreosote]

****, I got that way when my youngest went to preschool last month.

It's going to be a loooong 16 more years.

 

[qtlaw]

Yeah, that cliche is soooo true, cherish these times when you have them because it goes fast. Which means, the problems you think your kid is giving you is really small in the big picture.

 

[User 11148]

First son is leaving for college this week (its quarter system), sensitive times with wifey. He's starting his freshman year at UW in Seattle, what a wonderful school and setting. I ricochet between accepting it for what it is, can't stop life, and then reminiscing about his childhood. I asked him to play catch in the backyard yesterday afternoon and it was so sweet hearing the sound of the leather snapping, remembering when we did it 10 years earlier. Mom came out and took a picture and then shed some tears.

Is he your only child?

 

[qtlaw]

No, we have one survivor left (two years left with him).

 

[User 11148]

No, we have one survivor left (two years left with him).

He has no clue what's about to hit him.

BTW ... good friend has a daughter -- her only child -- entering YouDub (does that sound right?) as a freshperson this fall.

 

[Dick Whitman]

First son is leaving for college this week (its quarter system), sensitive times with wifey. He's starting his freshman year at UW in Seattle, what a wonderful school and setting. I ricochet between accepting it for what it is, can't stop life, and then reminiscing about his childhood. I asked him to play catch in the backyard yesterday afternoon and it was so sweet hearing the sound of the leather snapping, remembering when we did it 10 years earlier. Mom came out and took a picture and then shed some tears.

My kid never catches the ball, so at least I'll be spared that particular gut punch.

 

[Dick Whitman]

In all seriousness, I feel for you. I don't know how I'm going to handle it when it happens in a decade, then a few years later for the little one. They are my two best friends. But in particular, there is something about the fleeting nature of boyhood.

 

[LongTimeListener]

We're a year away from this. Our oldest would prefer it to happen tomorrow though. It's not bad -- he's ready for the world and we remind ourselves that's a good thing (and a bit rare nowadays).

Last night we had a Family Game Night. For all the challenges of trying to find something that can be played with ages 5 to 46, it was a snapshot moment that I'm sure I'll replay.

 

[qtlaw]

We're a year away from this. Our oldest would prefer it to happen tomorrow though. It's not bad -- he's ready for the world and we remind ourselves that's a good thing (and a bit rare nowadays).

Last night we had a Family Game Night. For all the challenges of trying to find something that can be played with ages 5 to 46, it was a snapshot moment that I'm sure I'll replay.

Man, I miss game night with the 4 of us. Glad you got to do that last night.

 

[Dick Whitman]

We're a year away from this. Our oldest would prefer it to happen tomorrow though. It's not bad -- he's ready for the world and we remind ourselves that's a good thing (and a bit rare nowadays).

Last night we had a Family Game Night. For all the challenges of trying to find something that can be played with ages 5 to 46, it was a snapshot moment that I'm sure I'll replay.

Jenga.

 

[User 11148]

Bananagrams is the game of choice in my household, now.

 

[LongTimeListener]

Jenga.

We do play that.

Last night it was Telestrations. One person draws, the next person guesses, the next person draws what the previous guess was etc. and it ends up being a game of Telephone. We had one clue that started as "vest" and ended up as "sheep." It was a riot especially for the person who had to guess the 5-year-old's pictures.

The wife and I are definitely insisting on those nights more and more. We had to drag the teenagers off their computers against their will. But they did get into it.

As a side note, I've been told many times how "lucky" we are by current or pending empty nesters who are in the situation @qtlaw posted about. I don't know about lucky, but it is taking some of the sting out of knowing our boys will be off on their own soon.

 

[Vombatus]

Monopoly SUCKS.

 

[User 11148]

One thing you're going to find is that, in some ways, you're going to become a far more wise/sage presence simply because you'll know how to do some such thing about which your flown-the-coop kid has no clue. How do you start charcoal? How do you hook up an old stereo? Where's the grilling marinade in the grocery store? How do you write a check?

 

[MTM]

Ours left last year and it went smoother than I thought. Sure, I missed him, but we talked almost every day.

His mom would get a bit jealous because he called me more, so I told her he was calling to ask for money (which he frequently did).

It's in his second year now and he is more involved with school and rushing a frat and I don't hear from him as often. That's been tough but I trust him to make good decisions.

 

[SpeedTchr]

Monopoly SUCKS.

You strike me as more of a Taboo fella.

 

[I Should Coco]

Went through this in early August, as my son left early because he's playing small-school football.

Driving away the next morning was a little tough for Mrs. Coco and I, but after a bit of a bumpy start, he's adjusted to college life fairly well. And that has helped us adjust, too.

We do still have a 16-year-old at home who is enjoying not having to share the bathroom in the morning!

 

[MTM]

He's at school about 400 miles away, and last year we left Mom at home and the two of us drove up together. The car was pretty full and it was easier for her to say goodbye in the driveway than part and think about it on the eight-hour drive home.

This year, he and I drove up and mom flew in the next day and rode home with me.

 

[CD Boogie]

One thing you're going to find is that, in some ways, you're going to become a far more wise/sage presence simply because you'll know how to do some such thing about which your flown-the-coop kid has no clue. How do you start charcoal? with lighter fluid. How do you hook up an old stereo? You don't. Where's the grilling marinade in the grocery store? Near the lighter fluid. How do you write a check? You don't

JK