|
Post by miket on Aug 18, 2021 9:28:09 GMT -5
I'm guessing a lot of people have been through this, but tomorrow my daughter moves into the dorms and starts college. Even though she's going for two years here and it's only 4 blocks from my house I'm having a really hard time with it. She's our last one and I don't think I'm ready for her to grow up. She's been a great daughter and is definitely a Daddy's girl. She's going into radiology and I know she's going to be successful in whatever she does- but it's hard. If anyone has any advice on how you've handled this whole thing, please feel free to post it or PM me.
Here's a few pictures, including ones that she posted on my birthdays over the years. I don't know how time goes so fast...
First day of first grade...
And a more recent one...
|
|
|
Post by hummingbirdstones on Aug 18, 2021 9:37:38 GMT -5
Mike, I don't have kids so I'm not qualified to give you any advice. What I would tell you is that she will ALWAYS be a great daughter and a Daddy's girl. Even though she won't be in your house, she is very nearby and will be in close contact with you constantly. That won't change.
You have a beautiful and intelligent daughter. Be proud and know that she loves you. Take lots of comfort from that.
|
|
|
Post by Rockindad on Aug 18, 2021 10:08:59 GMT -5
Moving day is tomorrow for my daughter also Mike. I am crushed inside but put on a brave face for her. While I am excited for her to start a new chapter in her life, I am definitely having a hard time. Hoping I can keep it together tomorrow until I leave her. Best kid a parent could ever hope for......
I just try to focus on that she is going to pursue something she is passionate about and that has brought her much joy.
|
|
|
Post by miket on Aug 18, 2021 10:14:25 GMT -5
Mike, I don't have kids so I'm not qualified to give you any advice. What I would tell you is that she will ALWAYS be a great daughter and a Daddy's girl. Even though she won't be in your house, she is very nearby and will be in close contact with you constantly. That won't change.
You have a beautiful and intelligent daughter. Be proud and know that she loves you. Take lots of comfort from that. Thanks Robin, I appreciate it. And I'm trying!
|
|
|
Post by miket on Aug 18, 2021 10:18:00 GMT -5
Moving day is tomorrow for my daughter also Mike. I am crushed inside but put on a brave face for her. While I am excited for her to start a new chapter in her life, I am definitely having a hard time. Hoping I can keep it together tomorrow until I leave her. Best kid a parent could ever hope for...... I just try to focus on that she is going to pursue something she is passionate about and that has brought her much joy. Yeah, it sucks doesn't it Al? I'm excited for my daughter, too, but still... I guess we'll just do the best we can to get through tomorrow, right? I've found that the older I get the harder it is to put on a brave face.
|
|
|
Post by HankRocks on Aug 18, 2021 10:23:03 GMT -5
Mike, look at the bright side, at least you're not getting older!!!
Our youngest, my daughter, left the house 5 years ago for college. Got her degree(first of the Covid grads) and now has a good job. She's also coaching Club Volleyball on the side. She's only 3 hours away so we do get to see her a bit. I think because of my age, 47 when she was born, I did not seem to have much separation anxiety. Biggest change for me was no Volleyball games. I did notice that my rock time has increased a good bit in the last 5 years.
All you can do is raise them the best you can and then watch them go out the door to hopefully their own successful life.
Hang in there. Henry
|
|
|
Post by miket on Aug 18, 2021 10:30:31 GMT -5
Mike, look at the bright side, at least you're not getting older!!! Our youngest, my daughter, left the house 5 years ago for college. Got her degree(first of the Covid grads) and now has a good job. She's also coaching Club Volleyball on the side. She's only 3 hours away so we do get to see her a bit. I think because of my age, 47 when she was born, I did not seem to have much separation anxiety. Biggest change for me was no Volleyball games. I did notice that my rock time has increased a good bit in the last 5 years. All you can do is raise them the best you can and then watch them go out the door to hopefully their own successful life. Hang in there. Henry Thanks, Henry. Lots of changes for sure. I know that's all you can do but the time seems to go so fast and they're grown in the blink of an eye.
I appreciate it, sir. Mike
|
|
|
Post by Rockindad on Aug 18, 2021 10:36:51 GMT -5
Moving day is tomorrow for my daughter also Mike. I am crushed inside but put on a brave face for her. While I am excited for her to start a new chapter in her life, I am definitely having a hard time. Hoping I can keep it together tomorrow until I leave her. Best kid a parent could ever hope for...... I just try to focus on that she is going to pursue something she is passionate about and that has brought her much joy. Yeah, it sucks doesn't it Al? I'm excited for my daughter, too, but still... I guess we'll just do the best we can to get through tomorrow, right? I've found that the older I get the harder it is to put on a brave face.
Ain’t that the truth about the “brave face”! My whole life everyone has looked at me as this big hardaxx. Lately I have been feeling downright emotional. Glad I’m not the only one getting soft in my old age . BTW, love the pics! We had some photo albums out last week from about 10-15 years ago, I had to walk away.
|
|
|
Post by rockjunquie on Aug 18, 2021 10:38:42 GMT -5
Hey Mike,
I know this has been heavy on your mind. When my son went into the Navy, I couldn't see him off. I wasn't able to control my emotions and I didn't want to part like that. My one daughter moved to Wisconsin and that was hard. She moved back, though. My youngest has been the one to stick around and be up my butt all the time. LOL! Not complaining, but it's true. When all the kids were gone, I took in my dad. When he passed away, we immediately took in my son and his 2 kids. So, we have never had an empty nest for long. Now, my granddaughter and grandson are gone along with my son, so we are alone again. I have to say that besides missing them and worrying about them, it's been nice to have the house to ourselves. If I were you, I would double down on the things I like to do. Enjoy your new freedom and know that the kids always have a home with you. It's hard, but as hard as it is on you, it is a healthy part of life to let them go.
|
|
|
Post by fernwood on Aug 18, 2021 10:58:54 GMT -5
I helped my daughter (only child) move to college (Wisconsin) 2.5 hours away. I knew she was in good hands, as her Godparents lived where she was going to college. That reassured me a lot.
We were able to see each other now and then when she was in college, but talked on the phone and emailed a lot. After college she moved to the Washington DC area. Those were the tough times. She lived there for almost 3 years. I was able to visit her once and she came home once.
She later moved back to where she went to college. Still lives in that area. I moved to the same area about 6 years ago.
No matter where she lived, we always had a close bond.
Children are destined to become adults. I feel it is much harder on the parents than them.
|
|
|
Post by miket on Aug 18, 2021 12:03:10 GMT -5
Hey Mike,
I know this has been heavy on your mind. When my son went into the Navy, I couldn't see him off. I wasn't able to control my emotions and I didn't want to part like that. My one daughter moved to Wisconsin and that was hard. She moved back, though. My youngest has been the one to stick around and be up my butt all the time. LOL! Not complaining, but it's true. When all the kids were gone, I took in my dad. When he passed away, we immediately took in my son and his 2 kids. So, we have never had an empty nest for long. Now, my granddaughter and grandson are gone along with my son, so we are alone again. I have to say that besides missing them and worrying about them, it's been nice to have the house to ourselves. If I were you, I would double down on the things I like to do. Enjoy your new freedom and know that the kids always have a home with you. It's hard, but as hard as it is on you, it is a healthy part of life to let them go.
Yeah, I'm hoping I can keep myself together, too. I feel like a big baby, honestly. My wife seems ok with it and tells me all of the things people have said like she'll be close, it's part of life, etc...I guess it's just something I need to accept. I do have the rest of my kids here where we live (and my grandson) which is great- but I'll still miss her. Thanks for the advice, Tela.
|
|
|
Post by miket on Aug 18, 2021 12:05:36 GMT -5
I helped my daughter (only child) move to college (Wisconsin) 2.5 hours away. I knew she was in good hands, as her Godparents lived where she was going to college. That reassured me a lot. We were able to see each other now and then when she was in college, but talked on the phone and emailed a lot. After college she moved to the Washington DC area. Those were the tough times. She lived there for almost 3 years. I was able to visit her once and she came home once. She later moved back to where she went to college. Still lives in that area. I moved to the same area about 6 years ago. No matter where she lived, we always had a close bond. Children are destined to become adults. I feel it is much harder on the parents than them. I'll bet that was hard for you, Beth. It would be on me for sure. I'm very close with all of my kids- hopefully that never changes.
And I agree, it's definitely harder on the parents.
|
|
Tommy
Administrator
Member since January 2013
Posts: 12,647
|
Post by Tommy on Aug 18, 2021 18:55:28 GMT -5
Good job Dad! You did good
|
|
|
Post by miket on Aug 18, 2021 19:05:20 GMT -5
Good job Dad! You did good Thanks Tommy, I sure hope so...
|
|
|
Post by jasoninsd on Aug 18, 2021 19:36:01 GMT -5
I know we've talked about this Mike...and I wish I had the right words. I know it's not your "usual" style, but this song keeps coming to mind when I think about you two:
|
|
|
Post by Pat on Aug 18, 2021 20:02:08 GMT -5
We have lots of experience. Our four children are 15 months apart. They all went to local junior colleges here, then moved away to college to finish and some kept at it and got advanced degrees.
It was always a big deal —- emotional, happy and a bit sad at the same time. Let the happy tears come, and let the sad tears come. You and your children will be all right.
|
|
|
Post by miket on Aug 20, 2021 9:39:31 GMT -5
I know we've talked about this Mike...and I wish I had the right words. I know it's not your "usual" style, but this song keeps coming to mind when I think about you two: Thanks my friend.
|
|
|
Post by miket on Aug 20, 2021 9:41:21 GMT -5
We have lots of experience. Our four children are 15 months apart. They all went to local junior colleges here, then moved away to college to finish and some kept at it and got advanced degrees. It was always a big deal —- emotional, happy and a bit sad at the same time. Let the happy tears come, and let the sad tears come. You and your children will be all right. I know it will be fine eventually, thank you for the kind words Pat. I'm excited for her, proud of her...and trying to figure out how to let go. She's our fourth but for many reasons it seems harder than it did with her brothers.
|
|
begeberg
having dreams about rocks
Member since July 2021
Posts: 55
|
Post by begeberg on Aug 21, 2021 20:29:34 GMT -5
Oh yes you are not alone in the strugglebus of life! Took both my daughters out to the Badlands rockhounding/ camping a few weeks ago knowing my 17 YO would be leaving heading back to Illinois to finish her senior year as we just moved here to SD. Really tough sometimes emotionally but I have to say I’m really proud of the young woman she’s become. We FaceTime often but it doesn’t replace the hug and kiss every night saying I love you to each other. I miss that as I’m sure all is Dads do. I sure miss that smile!
|
|
|
Post by miket on Aug 21, 2021 23:25:12 GMT -5
Oh yes you are not alone in the strugglebus of life! Took both my daughters out to the Badlands rockhounding/ camping a few weeks ago knowing my 17 YO would be leaving heading back to Illinois to finish her senior year as we just moved here to SD. Really tough sometimes emotionally but I have to say I’m really proud of the young woman she’s become. We FaceTime often but it doesn’t replace the hug and kiss every night saying I love you to each other. I miss that as I’m sure all is Dads do. I sure miss that smile! Yep, something about dad's and daughters...
|
|