Your son or daughter will very likely be experiencing a range of emotions as he or she leaves for college. Remember that these emotions, such as joy, anxiety, excitement, and sadness are perfectly normal. During the college years your child will be continuing a process of independence yet also establishing new and intimate connections with friends, faculty, and other mentors. He or she will be exposed to many new ideas and may experiment with new ways of being with friends and with you. Remember that many of these changes are a normal part of growing up. Also remember that every child is different and has his or her own experiences of dealing with the challenges and rewards of college life.
Like your child, you can expect to experience a wide range of emotions when your child leaves for college. You may experience a great deal of pride and joy about your child's achievements. You may experience the joy of new freedom as your child leaves home, as well as sadness at his or her departure and a feeling of being less needed and left out. You also may worry about whether he or she will be able to adjust well to a new life, and you may worry about "losing" your child as he or she experiments with new ideas, behaviors, and relationships. You will likely experience difficulty in giving up some of the parental control you have had in the past. These are normal feelings and ones that are often good to share with other family members and friends.