Sending off the first kid to college, or the last?

I have sent a few out into the world - but I think the hardest would be the last one. Still have a few years before that happens.

LOL.....my only! That was 2003 and somedays I am still not over it.

each step.. I missed them both. :( I think we are just busier with the others as one leaves..
It is hard to walk away and feel a little one in your hand as you turn your back... missed their little hands, they both were just as ready to get away and be on thier own as i.. So, really understood.. Just bittersweet.

Hmmmm....I high-fived the first one on college move in day. I'll let you know in about 14 years for "the last one".

Sending the last one to kindergarden was my hardest day. I knew then the days of him a home was numbered. Motherhood was the best career move I ever made.

Neither was harder or easier. Each was bittersweet in its own way. Remember, we raise them to become independent adults. What may have been the hardest were the two who stayed home and attended a local college, more so than the three who had to travel. "I'm 18 and graduated." "You still live in my house".

Embrace this new chapter in both your lives.

I cried when my first left home, she was my buddy. And she went far away. My son was within an hour and I saw him more often. I didn't cry for him, he forbade it!!!!

They leave one by one and come back in twos and threes. I have lived in this house for ten years and 9 people have moved in and out! Not all that I gave birth to.

OH, do I hear you. Same here. We had friends of our son and daughter here off and on. For some reason my house was "safe" even though I had rules!! LOL. One kid broke the rules and out he went. He called for days wanting back in but I hung firm. In the end he ended up OK. :)

I cried when they all left, I knew they needed to leave but it didn't make it an easier :D:D:D

sending my youngest back to live in the States from Vanuatu (other side of the world) when he was only 19-moved into an apartment a few blocks away from my sister (which was a saving grace!) with my other son, 6 years older than he. We only got to see them for 4-5 weeks when we flew over to visit once a year. Can't even tell you how much I missed him! Ten times worse than when the oldest left! Now, we all live together in a house we all bought together in Calif, and I wish we had our own place!!!

I cried when my youngest graduated high school. I cried at their weddings- especially my son's last year, I was very ill in my pregnancy and he is my miracle child. Never thought I'd see the day he would be married! I just wanted him to live and be healthy.

Didn't cry at any college graduations- I think it was a feeling of relief.

Me too, on the only!

Three kids...two girls, one boy. I was upset when the oldest daughter married, but she was only 7 miles away. The middle child(daughter)lived on campus and I missed her horribly. She is my mini-me. She married and lives about 7 miles away too. When my baby boy left for college, I felt bereft. Then when he married and moved to Kansas City, snd then later to Columbis, Mo, I bawled every time I would see him and then have to let him go again. I was a mess. It took me about 10 years to get over myself!!

For me it was the day I left the youngest at his dorm in college 4 years ago. I tried so hard to hold in the tears that my throat and neck hurt for days afterward. I still miss him the most, my older two are 35 and 30 and have been gone longer. Now that the youngest has graduated, I'm moving onto a new stage in life - being a grandma. First grandchild (a boy) was born two weeks ago tomorrow and second grandchild (also a boy) is due in three weeks. It does get better, but there are still days I still wish they were home.

For me, sending the first one to college was the hardest. This year, I am a bit emotional...DD has gone back for her *last* year of college. Assuming she will move directly into a career upon her graduation next spring, we are truly now empty-nesters.

My kids all went to the local university so stayed home until they married,(21) except one, he married later than 21 but moved out at 21. I guess I really didn't feel a huge emptiness because all my kids live within 20 minutes of me and they all pop in at least once a week, even the 5 grandchildren stop by often. Today three of my children and two grands were here all afternoon, and my grandson, who will be attending Univ.of Ky , his first year, stopped by to let me know he would be popping in for lunch a couple times a week. Thank God, I've never had to experience a feeling of "empty nest".