Sending Your Child to College — It's an Emotional Ride

Congratulations! After years of tests, applications, and some serious stress, your child is headed off to college. They are about to embark on four years of academic and personal growth that will prepare them for the adult world (or at least that's what we tell them). But before you start preparing your child for the next chapter in their lives, you need to prepare yourself for an emotional ride. Sending your child to school, while exciting, can also be pretty scary. Here, every emotion to expect when your child leaves for college. Source: Universal Pictures

You're so proud of your child for getting into college.

You're so proud of your child for getting into college.

Source: NBC

You celebrate with a grad party and Summer full of fun.

You celebrate with a grad party and Summer full of fun.

Source: Nickelodeon

But then August rolls around, and you realize you haven't bought a thing for their dorm.
Disney

But then August rolls around, and you realize you haven't bought a thing for their dorm.

So you go on a stress-induced shopping spree for the essentials.

So you go on a stress-induced shopping spree for the essentials.

And probably buy way more than they need.

And probably buy way more than they need.

Source: The CW

Meanwhile, they're at home relaxing.
Disney

Meanwhile, they're at home relaxing.

You get annoyed and remind yourself that soon they will be an RA's problem.

You get annoyed and remind yourself that soon they will be an RA's problem.

Source: NBC

But as the days dwindle away, you realize you'll miss your baby.

But as the days dwindle away, you realize you'll miss your baby.

So you relax and cherish every moment together.

So you relax and cherish every moment together.

Until move-in day arrives and all hell breaks loose.

Until move-in day arrives and all hell breaks loose.

Source: E!

Nothing fits in the car.
Disney

Nothing fits in the car.

The drive there is terrible.

The drive there is terrible.

Source: NBC

And the dorm room isn't exactly what you pictured.

And the dorm room isn't exactly what you pictured.

Source: NBC

You meet their dorm mates and worry what kind of trouble they'll get your child into.

You meet their dorm mates and worry what kind of trouble they'll get your child into.

Source: ABC

Before you know it, it's time to leave.

Before you know it, it's time to leave.

Source: BBC

You wrap them in the tightest hug and give them the biggest kiss, not caring what anyone thinks.

You wrap them in the tightest hug and give them the biggest kiss, not caring what anyone thinks.

Source: BBC

You hold back the tears until you reach the car, and the breakdown begins.

You hold back the tears until you reach the car, and the breakdown begins.

Source: Fox

As you drive, you realize you spent the last 18 years raising an amazing person.

As you drive, you realize you spent the last 18 years raising an amazing person.

Source: OVO Sound

A sense of pride comes over you, because, let's be honest, you did a great job!

A sense of pride comes over you, because, let's be honest, you did a great job!

Source: NBC

So celebrate those accomplishments in your new empty nest.

So celebrate those accomplishments in your new empty nest.

Source: NBC

Because it won't be long before they're home and begging you to do their laundry.

Because it won't be long before they're home and begging you to do their laundry.