Struggling to Let Go of My College-Student Daughter
When I sent my daughter, Emma, off for her freshman year of college a few years ago, I was sad down to my bones.
Indeed, this is the season when countless articles are published recommending helicopter parents to stop hovering (盘旋) so much. 1 based on Emma's college schedule "helicopter children" may be more 2.
The first one out of my 3 has come fluttering back home nearly every month of the year. In the meantime, 4 keeps our children connected far more than I was with my 5 in the late 70s. I used to call home once a week from a pay phone. Emma calls, texts or e-mails me almost every day.
Given all this, missing Emma seems kind of 6; I've never really gotten the chance. So why, then, have I still felt that I've experienced a great 7?
All Summer long 8 Emma left that first year, I cried 9—at everything. I took Emma out for countless mother-daughter breakfasts, lunches, coffees and walks.
At the same time, I was unusually 10. In my eyes, Emma had spent the weeks going out with her friends too much, not working enough and 11 not spending enough time with me!
Although it's taken quite a while to 12 what was happening, I now understand that my unhappiness and anxiety are not a(n) 13 of how much time Emma and I spend together.
14 how often she comes home, Emma is now gone in a far grander sense. She is well on the road to 15, and from this, she will never 16.
I know full well that this is completely 17. And I take pride and joy in seeing Emma make her way so confidently and capably. She's going to be fine and we will always remain 18.
Nonetheless, Emma's going to college has 19 the passing of something that I cherished—her childhood and my 20 to her as a child—and I can't help being a little sad about that.
