Leaving for College

It's been awhile since I have written, August was a very emotional month for me. My daughter made her way to college. A month's worth of preparation, not the packing or shopping but the important issues that parents with learning disabled children really care about: medication, doctor calls, support systems, roommates, money allocations, to name a few. The magnitude of appointments, schedules is mind boggling. Then packing!!! This truly is a trial, trying to explain to my daughter that she doesn't need to bring her entire wardrobe, yeah I know! So some recommendations from a first time Mom that have really been good; A) have a debit card that is attached to your checking account; My daughter's checking account is attached to mine. I can see all the money that comes and goes! She is not aware of this. I see all the purchases and I made another account that has all her money in it, I transfer when she needs it. Believe me the first week was a disaster. She thought the well was endless until I told her that she only had $200 left for the next couple of months! Reality check! B) I gave my daughter a diary, but in this diary was important business cards: ie: therapist, medical insurance, my email address, telephone numbers for emergency calls. I put laundry instructions, one section is designated for money, yes money, starting balance and she needs to substract each withdrawal to keep up with what she has. I told her, it's very embarrassing when you use that card and there is no money there!!!! One place for everything! It works. Then off to the destination, I promised myself I would not cry. My daughter was lucky enough to have other friends attending this school so she knew people. This helps, but she did not know her roommate. We moved her in with the help from some other friends, set up the tv, internet, made the bed, put the clothes away and then, "Mom you can leave now!". Wow where did that time go. The emotional goodbyes, the please be good, use your good judgement, and we were gone! I remember the day I picked her up from the adoption agency, small tiny, 18 years ago, my baby! But I must let go, she has to learn on her own and face all the hurtles we all went through. We went to have lunch with my son and then home. I went home and scoured that room! She was on a new adventure in her life, my was about to start by cleaning, and painting her room. The dogs walk by and miss her! Quite an adjustment. So you might think they have gone, out of site out of mind, heavens no! Let's see after one week of one line texts and no phone calls, we called! "How are you?" Good do I have enough money in my account? How much did you spend? Did you start subtracting in your book? If not, you better!!!! And she sounds good. I was also informed the other day by my daughter that she changed rooms and roommate. Okay so no one from the school called me so I guess it's okay and she said the RA's said okay, hey she has to live there not me! I do remember when I went to college and I was not happy with my roommate but I endured. After I found that out all I texted her was Be happy, I love you! What else is there to say. I asked to come up and see her and she responded I have homework and a paper due, maybe another time. Okay, well I'm coming up for parents day so live with it!!!!! It's only been 3 weeks but I am beginning to think this is a good fit for her school wise. I know this is just the beginning of what I hope to be a good experience for her. She never had this at High School, my husband and my wish was that she could really have these people know my daughter and she could make lifelong friends. Who knows we still have 8 more months to go! We have our fingers crossed!!!!! Until next time.......