What often goes unspoken about the sophomore send-off is that it can be just as challenging—if not more so—than the freshman drop-off. You might not realize that the child you tearfully left behind at college last spring will return home transformed into a young adult, one who relies on you even less than before.
Few people mention that your son may feel a tinge of disappointment about coming back for summer. He might not be as eager to reconnect with his siblings or adhere to your household rules. To him, the town that once felt like home may now seem foreign.
What remains unsaid is that, despite his growing independence, you’ll still find yourself cooking, cleaning, and doing his laundry throughout the summer. Yet, you won’t mind it too much, as it signifies that your beloved boy has returned.
No one tells you that this almost-adult will monopolize your couch for the first few days, exhausted from the whirlwind of finals, packing, and celebrations. You’ll find yourself pausing to watch him sleep, reminiscent of those tender moments from his childhood, and you’ll ponder how quickly time has flown by.
You might also be surprised to see him squabble with his younger brother over trivial matters, like curfews and wet towels on the floor. It’s as if the clock has rewound to when he was 15, and you’ll argue about the same things once again.
What few admit, and what you might feel guilty about, is that when August rolls around, you’ll experience a hint of relief when he heads back to school—not much, but a little. You’ll scroll through Facebook, seeing parents saying goodbye to their freshmen, and while you’ll feel grateful you’re not in their shoes this year, a small part of you will feel melancholic. That was a significant day, another milestone now part of the past.
When it’s finally time for him to leave again, he’ll wave casually from the driveway as he departs. It won’t seem like a big deal to him—he’s got things under control. Your heart will swell with pride while simultaneously breaking with sadness.
What no one warns you about is how the very things you wished for him—new friends, fresh experiences, independence—are the same things that pull him away from you. You know deep down that he will likely visit less during his sophomore year, and as he grows, summer after summer may bring internships or study abroad opportunities instead.
No one lays it out plainly, but you might just have spent your last summer with your boy.
For more insights on topics like parenting and home insemination, check out our blog on at-home insemination kits. If you’re curious about the details of the process, this resource is excellent. And for specific tools, consider looking at the Cryobaby Home Intracervical Insemination Syringe Kit, which is an authority on this topic.