What you say about the college texting is so true, Jenny! I recently heard a Buddhist friend say "the stories we tell ourselves can be fake, but the suffering they cause us is real," and boy is that true of all the things I imagine as the dot-dot-dot is happening on the text chain.
The book that became my bible in prep for and during the college years is “Letting Go: A Parents Guide to Understanding the College Years”. My copy became tattered and worn and, I have gifted this book to many friends over the years. We can do hard things!
Ohhhh, that is very good advice. My only kiddo and I head out for North Carolina from Maine tomorrow morning -- by Saturday I'll be solo and she'll be starting her freshman year. I think I'm ready? I know I can't possibly be ready?? But I'm so excited to see what's next for her, even if it includes stomach-twisting emojis for me.
So difficult when kids go to college. Sending you all the best, Jenny from here in the UK. Mine are late 20s and 30s, and living in their own places, but there’s still those times when they need/ask for help and all you can do is listen… ! It gets easier - that first time is definitely the hardest🤞🏽🤞🏽
I am driving my oldest for her first year in college on Friday and I feel EXACTLY as you described. It's supposed to be this way. Happy for her. Excited even. But also anxious and notice I am holding my breath a lot, and choosing to focus on the challenge of fitting all her things in my car vs. the challenge of the new normal of her living in a different state. Ironically, I moved to Boston from Brazil for college without a care.
I’m reading this at the start of day two of dropping off my college kid. Trying to get her all geared up to cook this year. As I filled the cart with all the stuff I think she’ll need, she says “I don’t think I’ll need that”.
I’m hoping and looking forward to that text in a week asking for a recipe, for which I’ll know what to tell her to make using the jars of sauces and spices she didn’t think she needed:)
Literally just got a text from my daughter at college, AS I WAS READING THIS. Major room mate troubles....my child doesn't want any of her room mates to make coffee in her pot before her in the morning...especially if it's flavored. The horror. She couldn't sleep last night because she was certain there would be a warm pot of vanilla coffee waiting for her to clean before she could make her own. The problem is that I can see her point. Raising monsters over here! :)
And I love how fast you googled 'hernia, general surgery, Burlington.' If speed researching were a thing, we could be on the winning team together!
Nope happens in my house too - and mine graduated 2 years ago. It's never not terrifying but so far the kid is alive. Some day I want to be old and infirm enough to do it back to him!
My daughter graduated from college this past May, and at some point she finally started texting “not an emergency” before calling me. Actual phone calls had in the past occurred so rarely that I was answering in an absolute panic.
Jenny - those Mommmmmmm texts don’t end with college graduation! They have a long enduring life!
What you say about the college texting is so true, Jenny! I recently heard a Buddhist friend say "the stories we tell ourselves can be fake, but the suffering they cause us is real," and boy is that true of all the things I imagine as the dot-dot-dot is happening on the text chain.
The book that became my bible in prep for and during the college years is “Letting Go: A Parents Guide to Understanding the College Years”. My copy became tattered and worn and, I have gifted this book to many friends over the years. We can do hard things!
Ohhhh, that is very good advice. My only kiddo and I head out for North Carolina from Maine tomorrow morning -- by Saturday I'll be solo and she'll be starting her freshman year. I think I'm ready? I know I can't possibly be ready?? But I'm so excited to see what's next for her, even if it includes stomach-twisting emojis for me.
So difficult when kids go to college. Sending you all the best, Jenny from here in the UK. Mine are late 20s and 30s, and living in their own places, but there’s still those times when they need/ask for help and all you can do is listen… ! It gets easier - that first time is definitely the hardest🤞🏽🤞🏽
Delicious! (Is it okay if I say that your Mom is so beautiful? Or is that sexist?)
She is, right? And she's of the generation that still unquestionably, uncynically would consider that a compliment. xoxo
I am driving my oldest for her first year in college on Friday and I feel EXACTLY as you described. It's supposed to be this way. Happy for her. Excited even. But also anxious and notice I am holding my breath a lot, and choosing to focus on the challenge of fitting all her things in my car vs. the challenge of the new normal of her living in a different state. Ironically, I moved to Boston from Brazil for college without a care.
I’m reading this at the start of day two of dropping off my college kid. Trying to get her all geared up to cook this year. As I filled the cart with all the stuff I think she’ll need, she says “I don’t think I’ll need that”.
I’m hoping and looking forward to that text in a week asking for a recipe, for which I’ll know what to tell her to make using the jars of sauces and spices she didn’t think she needed:)
Literally just got a text from my daughter at college, AS I WAS READING THIS. Major room mate troubles....my child doesn't want any of her room mates to make coffee in her pot before her in the morning...especially if it's flavored. The horror. She couldn't sleep last night because she was certain there would be a warm pot of vanilla coffee waiting for her to clean before she could make her own. The problem is that I can see her point. Raising monsters over here! :)
And I love how fast you googled 'hernia, general surgery, Burlington.' If speed researching were a thing, we could be on the winning team together!
Thank you, Jenny! Xo
Also, I loved this! Nothing better than a last minute dinner party!
Nope happens in my house too - and mine graduated 2 years ago. It's never not terrifying but so far the kid is alive. Some day I want to be old and infirm enough to do it back to him!
I LOVE your screensaver. Beautiful story.
Yes I get those texts…one daughter miles away at university, one to go (in February down here in NZ) xx
I love the 10 Rules booklet! I'll be making the stir-fry cabbage lunch today, what a great idea. Thank you for making something so useful and fun. :)
My daughter graduated from college this past May, and at some point she finally started texting “not an emergency” before calling me. Actual phone calls had in the past occurred so rarely that I was answering in an absolute panic.
Hi Jenny,
Is the preorder offer open to residents of Canada? I preordered a while ago and would like to read your 10 thoughts about being happier and healthier.
I look forward to reading your substack each week. Thank you!
It should work yes as long as you have purchase order number - let me know if it doesn’t.
Jenny - so happy to see the pic of Jody’s birthday!
Love seeing your name here!!! The legend Joan Dorgan!