child off to university

[cutupmum]

in the autumn my eldest will be off to university. Any top tips for how to cope without him ( apart from sell up and get studio flat in twon which isnt an option as other child still at home) other child wants to leave at the same time as doesnt want to be the only one at home
how do others handle this transition?

My eldest DD is in her first year at university and to be honest it was a bit of a wrench when she first went away. The fact that she settled well and is enjoying her course has helped. This second term has been easier and has gone quite quickly and its only a week till she finishes for the Easter holidays. I am looking forward to her coming home for a few weeks especially now that she's grateful that someone else is doing the cooking

I've got two other DCs at home and we have got used to it being a bit quieter. In our case DD1 was quite noisy and demanding so its a good thing that the others can get a bit more attention. I think the summer holidays will be strange as we all have to shift about a bit again as DD1 will be home for ages. She is hoping to work so that should stop us all getting on each others nerves.

I sometimes wonder where on earth the last 18 years went!

It is hard!!! I missed my older DC dreadfully when they first went. But it gets better. Soon they are back for the long summer holidays. The first term is absolutely the worst, then it improves. Then before you know it, they have graduated and you have got totally used to them not living at home (or they come back....).

DS2 is off on a gap year trip, so for the first time for 23 years we haven't got a child in the house for a significant period. I've joined the gym, we've been out for more meals, theatre/concert/cinema trips and are able to go away for the weekend. Our food bill has plummeted and we can eat more fish and veggie food (DSs are thin hungry carnivores). We don't have to collect children at unreasonable times at night/lend my car out. Much as I love both DSs I'm quite enjoying myself!

DD is also on her first year. She finished term on Thursday but has gone to Germany with a friend for a week (then home and has a job locally lined up for 2 weeks), and has also got a Summer job in France from June-October so I will REALLY miss her then

Still, she does phone & MSN, and it has been really nice spending more individual time with DS at home.

It is great watching their independance grow. Just with this trip, she has had to research & book the hotels, flights, taxi's etc (and apply for Uni Funding!) all on her own. She also cooks & irons etc which didn't happen at home.......