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5 (Mostly) Unanswered Texts to My College Kid
Motherhood is a whirlwind. One moment you’re bringing a baby into the world—full of pain, sleepless nights, and endless breastfeeding. Then suddenly you’re in the chaos of toddlerhood, with a kid who transitions from crawling to running, and before you know it, they’re taking dives off the couch. Then come the years of driving them back and forth from school, guitar lessons, playdates, and sleepovers—so many trips that it feels impossible to keep track. Seriously, who can count when you’re this exhausted? And let’s not even talk about the countless dinners to prepare! I mean, how many creative ways can you make chicken exciting on a school night? Sorry, kiddo, but yes, we’re having broccoli again. Deal with it.
Then there are the birthday parties, field trips, and all those tears when they feel left out. You find yourself rushing out in the snow, throwing on boots and a coat just to grab marshmallows because you promised hot chocolate. The teenage years hit, bringing a new set of challenges: hormones, heartbreak, homework, and hair products. You’re left trying to keep up with the latest trends while having the awkward “condom talk,” only to be met with eye rolls and a “Mom, chill!” as you stare at the clock, waiting for them to come home safe from parties. And just like that, they’re off to college.
Then comes the silence. Crickets. You might go months without hearing a word from your child, the one you nurtured and cared for through thick and thin. It’s as if you’ve become a relic from their past, an embarrassing throwback that they can’t quite shake off. If you text, good luck getting a response. They’re too busy having fun to remember to check in.
Recently, J.K. Simmons, during his Oscar speech, reminded everyone to call their moms, urging people to reach out and express their love. I was tempted to post that on my college freshman’s Facebook wall, but I decided against it.
To be fair, I visited him last weekend, and he was nonstop busy: writing a paper, performing in a play, attending late-night a cappella practice, and even taking his sister to a frat party. Sleep? Who needs it, right?
Now, just for a laugh, I’m going to share five screenshots of unanswered texts I sent my son during his first year of college. One day, he’ll have his own kids and send me panicked messages like “Mom, the baby is yellow!” or “How do I make her stop crying?” And you bet I’ll respond promptly.
- A text sent when I was away for a few days.
- A message after not hearing from him for two weeks.
- Follow-ups later that same day, then two days later, and three days after that.
- A birthday text (which I also tried to call).
- A message during finals week.
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In summary, parenting is a chaotic but rewarding journey filled with ups and downs, especially when it comes to communicating with our kids as they grow up and leave the nest.