Three years ago, my daughter returned home from completing her freshman year of college and up until recently, I’d forgotten (intentionally) about the shocking experience. The memory was resurrected when I found myself engaged in a conversation and offering up advice to two college students just returning home from their freshman year of college. Both were frustrated and were talking about how their moms were having trouble “letting go.” Like most college students who live on campus, they thoroughly enjoyed their first year of newfound freedom, but quickly discovered when returning home, that all of their freedom quickly vanish at the arrival of their parent’s doorstep. I swear, I can laugh now, but that junk was not funny when I was living what felt like was a nightmare. I re-lived quite a few moments as the two swapped stories- “when I was at school, there were no rules!” “Geez! What am I going to do at home that I didn’t and couldn’t have already done at school?” “Should I tell my mom that I’m going to the movies, or should I ask?” “I’m so confused!” Their words stirred up lucid memories of my battle and my struggle with my daughter’s return from college.
