Time flies by fast enough as it is, but throw in a senior year at high school mixed with AP tests, proms, banquets, graduation, graduation parties, and you're bound to be ready for a vacation. BUT WAIT ... you're not done now. Now you have to give your son or daughter some time to breath after all the hard work they've done. You let them hang out during the summer with their friends (that they're sure they're never going to see again after they all go their separate ways), perhaps they're lucky enough to have acquired at least a part time job, and then there's the college preparation. Whether they're going to commute or stay on campus, there are classes to register for, schedules and transportation to figure out, dorm rooms to furnish, roommates to meet, etc., etc.
So, why did we think that once they graduated things would slow down and become simpler? Maybe once we check everything off the summer TO DO list we'll be able to relax a bit. It's not always easy for parents to just 'let go'. It's time for our kids to move into the next phase of their lives where they get to experience 'trial and error'. Sure, they'll make mistakes and they'll more than likely get overwhelmed at first, but who doesn't?
At this point we need to help them when we can, guide them and get them started on their way, be prepared for when they first get homesick (even if they don't want to admit it), and hope that we've done enough.
No doubt things will get easier and we'll all get used to the new stages in our lives. There may be some bumps and bruises along the way, but that's what'll keep it interesting.
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