tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4384692836709903146.post7476122861123297636..comments2024-03-27T09:55:23.143-07:00Comments on Dispatch from the Digital Health Frontier: The College Drop OffJohn Halamkahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04550236129132159307noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4384692836709903146.post-60330891381168944052011-09-01T09:08:51.840-07:002011-09-01T09:08:51.840-07:00I have read your posts and admire your parenting.
...I have read your posts and admire your parenting.<br /><br />I thought I should try not to hover when our first daughter went to college, but we seem to have fallen into a very comfortable routine of talking almost every day. While my other daughter calls every two to three days. I was surprised that even though she is very independent, she admitted to being lonely at times in the dorm. So while I very much want them to be independent, I don't worry about trying not to call too often anymore.<br /><br />If you were close before, you will be close while she is at college too. A very relaxed, natural rhythm just develops. <br /><br />I think the first few weeks are the most difficult. By day 5 many of them are very homesick, but after that they settle in just fine. When they settle, I settle. This usually takes about 2 weeks the first year and is so much easier the following years.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4384692836709903146.post-63254407783501749372011-09-01T08:17:48.747-07:002011-09-01T08:17:48.747-07:00John, I like hearing your perspective from the oth...John, I like hearing your perspective from the other side of the coin. I'm 30, and can remember my first day of college vividly -- my dad was driving away, and I realized with horror that my dorm room keys were in his car. This is before cell phones were all that common, and of course we didn't have one. I took off running behind his car, and he said the sight of me running after him in his rearview mirror is something he'll always remembr. It really is a poignant time.SJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14174193133138897712noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4384692836709903146.post-85717710150459849582011-09-01T08:11:09.446-07:002011-09-01T08:11:09.446-07:00Having come out on the other side of leading our o...Having come out on the other side of leading our one and only from the nest, now to enjoy the company and conversation of our son as a fully formed adult, I can get a small glimpse of your journey today. It was hard for us, and worth the hardship. We have been reaping the rewards of letting go and enjoying both our own closer company and that of our son and his chosen partner. <br /><br />Well done. Thank you for sharing the journey.Mattpenninghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11608490859334850983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4384692836709903146.post-23553063150108949272011-09-01T07:52:47.599-07:002011-09-01T07:52:47.599-07:00John,
Ten years ago, my parents dropped me off ...John, <br /> Ten years ago, my parents dropped me off at college and after that it was about one phone call a week. A lot has changed in the world since then, and especially in parents' involvement in their children's lives as they progress into adulthood. While I admire the love you show for your daughter and the guidance you've provided along the way, I worry about you truly letting her get the decision-making experience she needs. After reading your past entries, I hope you really do let go and let your daughter become an independent young woman. You're still only 30 minutes away, an easy T to commuter rail trip. Let's hope it's far enough.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com