Daughter going to uni - can't stop crying

[ForRealMember]

My eldest daughter is heading to uni and I can't stop crying.(I am trying my best to hide it from her). She is excited but nervous and I am so proud of her. I just feel grief and panic even though she will come back to visit. I have a lovely husband, lovely younger daughter and friends but I am still so upset. Is this normal?

It's hard but when I saw one of the Mothers hugging her child outside the halls and sobbing uncontrollably, it made me feel sad and totally got it. I think that he was an International student. Am lucky we're not too far away but you can feel helpless sometimes 😏🤞

Bless you, it is hard and it's because you love her so much.
My daughter left (home in the UK) for Seoul University back in August. I had tears, especially as she was moving half way round the world but we had a lovely time together buying what she would need, some girls days out and talking a lot.
We have a family group chat and she checks in with us every day, even if it's just to say hi.
I promise you, after a couple of weeks it will get easier. We are on Christmas countdown (thrilled we get her back for Christmas).
Sending you lots of love 😘

If this was directed to me and my comment, not everyone can just switch off their emotions. I’m not a robot. Plus you don’t know people’s back stories so you shouldn’t judge.

Thank you- yes I think once he's made friends with similar like- minded people ,it will be better. It will take me time to learn how to support him from a distance without interferring/ fussing too much! I hope he can come back in the reading week! 😊👍

While I wasn't sad when DD went to university I found it hard not to be there to comfort her when she was upset about something. She had just been dumped by her BF of nearly 4 years and struggled on what would have been the 4 year anniversary. So, I get how awful it is for you.

It's the 11pm "mum are you free for a telephone call?" messages that got to me.

Comnpletely normal it's a huge loss and a huge adjustment for you but you will get there. Hang in there

Im quite surprised by the number of get a grip type posts!
As if Empty nest syndrome isn't a recognised thing
My sibling was very homesick, at uni 5 hours from home. They struggled with their mental and physical health (in the 1990s when there was less support for MH) so much so, they had to take a year out after year 1...it must have been horrendous for my parents, although I dont recall how they (outwardly) dealt with it. If only they'd all had MN to tell them to pull themselves together....

I can imagine how hard it was for you. I haven't had any late night calls yet,but I am keeping my phone on in case! I find I'm the one wanting to speak to him at 10pm. I've been told it does get easier. I have told our son he can ring us anytime and he can come anytime. At the end of the day,your know your own son/ daughter 😊

Think it's the OPs eldest so no " empty best".

Although I can't say I ever felt sad ant any of mine moving about or having an ," empty nest"

More a feeling of getting my own space back