I bet he loves the bread! That should help ease his homesickness a lot. Good job momofone

Your post interested me. I've had the same experience with my son. My boy was so active in High School, great friends, involved in school functions most nights of the week. Now however, he is doing well in classes, but won't get involved in anything. He sits up in his dorm room and does puzzles. Yes, I said puzzles. Not that I'm saying anythings wrong with doing puzzles, but for him to pass up going to his College football game to stay in his room doing puzzles, is not the boy I knew. I think he was comfortable in H.S. with his friends, now all his friends are spread out all over the U.S. and he's on his own in College. Maybe he's shy, I never saw that. I never dreamed I have to encourage my son to go to a party or a football game. He just says No. He doesn't like all the drinking. I tell him, he doesn't have to drink to have fun. He says he just doesn't like it. He did find a club that is all about Fun without Alcohol. I'm encouraging he to join it, at least he'd meet some new people. Anyway, maybe it's just part of adjusting to campus life. I hope so. I tend to worry too. Good luck to us all. Hugs, Marge

Hi everyone. My issue is slightly different. My daughter is going to college in England and we live in Africa. We are a really close family. I have a son who is 13. I am feeling sad and lonley. We leave on the 30th. i come back on the 5th. What do I do..........what a deep sense of saddness

Momofone, thanks for asking. I am hanging in there today, but I can feel it creeping up on me. Weekends are always difficult and by Sunday I am typically in tears.

I also loved the idea of sending a little goodie box. I haven't constructed one yet, but I have plenty of ideas and intend to fill it with some of the healthy snacks he likes and maybe a little surprise.

I'm sure your son will love the bread.

Miki

Marge, my son is such a serious student that once classes started I knew he would forsake the new friends he made and seclude himself with his studies. This concerns me as well as I don't want him to be 'socially' lost in the dust. I encouraged him to join a club, but he declined and stated he was so stressed out with classes that he didn't want to consider anything. He was just as serious about school when he was home, so I guess I shouldn't expect him to be any different now.

What your son is experiencing is something that I've heard from so many other mothers in the past when their children went off to school. Of course, it didn't take terribly long for them to report that their children were adjusting and back to socializing. If your son was social and involved before I'm sure in time he will be social and involved again. Actually, it sounds as though he is already on his way or else he wouldn't have researched a group. In the meantime, I think that is great that he isn't into drinking and is doing puzzles.

It's so hard being a mom as we tend to worry about everything especially if they aren't with us. I know I do.

Miki

Ginadn, my thoughts and prayers are with you as it is difficult to part ways even if it isn't forever. I'm sure that it only complicates the loss since your daughter will be in another country.

How do you plan to keep in contact? Have you thought of all the options: mail, email, phone, video, etc? It certainly won't replace her being there, but it will help.

You've actually already acted upon a coping mechanism by searching out and joining a group of individuals who are facing a similar experience and feelings of loss. You should find it so helpful to be able to express your feelings among a group that can truly understand. Venting/talking is very therapeutic. It can also serve as a form of journal or you may want to start a journal.

You are a loving mom and you are entitled to your feelings. Hopefully, by sharing your feelings you may gain a better understanding of what you are experiencing and what coping mechanisms will work best to help you adjust. You will also know that you are not alone and that others care and can truly empathize.

It's not easy and I can tell you that just when I think "I can do it" the next minute I'm often falling apart. So, we can relate and understand. We are here for you.

Miki