It’s truly surreal. You blink, and suddenly you’re in the aisles of Bed, Bath & Beyond, clutching a dorm checklist, feeling overwhelmed, and battling a wave of panic that feels like it could burst from your chest. Load up the car with bins, towels, your sense of humor, and a hefty supply of tissues because your firstborn is heading off to college!
- Oh. My. Goodness! This is really happening! He’s actually leaving!
- Packing is the worst, especially when it’s all your “little one’s” stuff.
- No, you can’t just take one pair of flip-flops! Yes, you need real pants.
- Did we forget anything? Of course! He needs what?! My wallet is crying.
- I will not make five trips to Target today. I refuse!
- There’s the dorm! I can totally handle this. I can do this!
- Wait, maybe I can’t do this.
- How on earth did my mom leave me here 26 years ago?
- Stairs. So many stairs. Remind him that they aren’t fun when you’re tipsy.
- Neither are hangovers. Time for another chat about drinking, ASAP.
- Aww! Look at all these bright students. They seem so excited!
- And anxious. Some look really nervous. Is eye contact a thing anymore?
- The nervous ones are lagging behind their equally nervous moms.
- Please tell me I’m not that mom!
- I can’t possibly be old enough to have a kid in college. Nope, nope, nope.
- That girl looks like she’s twelve. Is her mom really leaving her here?
- That girl looks 25. My husband is trying so hard not to stare—hilarious.
- When did girls’ shorts become their underwear? Stop looking!
- But they could be my future daughter-in-law.
- Not anytime soon, please! God, let him never have sex.
- Before you go, let’s review what “no” means until I’m blue in the face.
- Note to self: Consider all-male colleges for the next kid.
- Girls in the next room? What?! I’m totally stuck in 1955!
- The dorm laundry room. His new laundromat (snickers). One less pile at home!
- I bet he’ll come home with everything he owns covered in dirt.
- Hello, Target. It’s me again.
- Met his roommate, who is super tidy (chuckle). This could be interesting!
- One toilet. One shower. Four 18-year-old guys. I’m gagging a little.
- Buy more bleach!
- Resist the urge to fold his towels perfectly. Resist!
- Okay, I’m making his bed look all nice. He lets me. Don’t cry!
- I want to hug him so hard, but there are other students. He has to be “cool.”
- I just can’t handle this.
- Met the roommate’s dad, and we exchanged a look that said, “Wow, time flies!”
- Ramen, rice, canned soup—safe bets! No chance of burning the place down, right?
- That mattress needs a lot more padding, but at least it’s in plastic. Eww!
- Cherry blossom hand soap. Will they even use this? Another eww.
- Gray. Navy. Gray. Navy. Boys don’t decorate or coordinate. Prison vibes!
- Can I peek into a few girls’ dorms to “ooh” and “ahh”?
- Oh no, he’s just tossing clothes in drawers, unfolded. Deep breath. Not my room!
- Hearing another kid and their parents arguing in the hallway. Not how I want to leave!
- I really can’t do this.
- College kids today need so little. Just their phone and a laptop—cool!
- If I call and he doesn’t answer, claiming “my phone was dead,” I’m not buying it.
- Send him a backup phone battery and extra chargers.
- Tylenol? Check. Cough syrup? Check. Bandaids? Check. He’ll miss mom when he’s sick.
- Time to say goodbye!
- I can do this. I can do this. I can do this!
- Hug him tightly, tell him how proud you are, then walk out with confidence. Cry later.
- I did it! I dropped my kid off at college and kept it together. Cue the happy tears!
This article was originally published on August 26, 2016.
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In summary, dropping your child off at college is an emotional rollercoaster filled with anxiety, nostalgia, and a touch of humor as you navigate the chaos of packing, dorm life, and the bittersweet farewell.