In a few weeks I will be shipping my son, Ben, off to college. Some of you have gone through this and may be able to give me some much needed advice. Stacy and I will be driving him to his dorm in a smaller suv, so we have to pack to fit. What to take and what to leave behind? We would need a moving van to take it all.
Are there other surprises about the first few weeks of college that we as parents should know?
And how hard is it emotionally to do this. I'm having a frightful time of it now. Harder, I suppose, with an only kid, and since Ben's mother is gone (hopefully settled in the sandy bottom of Gloucester Harbor), my parenting partner is gone, too (Stacy is great, of course, but not the same). It's also harder to relinquish control of Ben's well-being because of his medical situation (Long Q-T Syndrome),...ugh.
I suppose in another era, being surrounded by an extended family with everyone full of (sometimes unwanted) advice, this would be a little easier. It feels a bit like being adrift in a rowboat without any oars.
Cousins Blog is in honor of my mother Hannah, first daughter of Pauline and Sam Rattet. It is for everyone related to the Rattet family. Once you are a member, you can "post" and "comment". To post, click the "sign in" in upper right corner of page or Blogger logo "B" on upper left corner of page.
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Pauline and Sam Rattet
Hannah Brodie
My mother, daughter of Pauline and Sam Rattet
3 comments:
Scott,
It's a scary time for a parent, no getting around that. Jenny stayed in Bakersfield for her freshman year but went FAR FAR AWAY (to Redding, where she now lives) beginning in her sophomore year. Greg and I would have liked to take Jenny to the school but she has a friend who lives in the Sacramento area she wanted to visit on the way up. We had to watch Jenny drive out of the driveway in her Ford Escort, which was packed to the roof, her hand waving out the window. Then I went in the house and boo hooed my eyes out. Fortunately, Jenny called often and came home to visit often that first year. We didn't place any demands but we were sure glad to see her every time!
I think Penny offered really good pracical tips. My question is regarding Ben's health. Is he good at taking care of himself? Does he take his condition seriously? Does he know when he needs to get help and not to blow it off?
Penny, Ben doesn't have his room or room-mate yet (this or next week), but thanks for the suggestions. I like the idea of the healthy food snacks that he can store in his room. I would like the contact for Josh.
Melanie, Ben has proven to be very responsible about his meds., his defibrillator, and careful about physical activities. He realizes that he needs to be on top of it all the time. I've tried really hard to set an example of care that he should adopt and I think he has a good head on his shoulders about it. Yeah, it's still a big worry, but,... it's time for him to assume some of his own care. But, you're right, this is a big part of what makes it so difficult to send him off on his own.
Scott,
I posed my questions, fairly sure what the answers would be, so you could tell yourself that Ben will be fine.
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