Liz Dalton | Broadcast Professional

“Liz delivers a thought-provoking style and an uncommon respect to her guest and her audience.”

Larry England,
Clarke Broadcasting

Video of LizLines courtesy of:
www.galifeandstyle.com

LizLines on Having a Child in College

Many of you know that my daughter entered her freshman year of college this fall and that I was filled with many emotions about what was to come and how it was going to be without her at home. This feeling of uncertainty, which started about a year and a half prior to her leaving and got stronger as graduation approached in May had turned to frustration and exhaustion by summer's end.This feeling of uncertainty, which started about a year and a half prior to her leaving and got stronger as graduation approached in May had turned to frustration and exhaustion by summer's end.

It's now almost Spring and this feeling has turned to disbelief. In less than three months her freshman year will be over! Where has the time gone?

So, you may ask, how has it been? In a word, I would say satisfying. Satisfying that there are some lessons she has learned from us and some that she can only learn on her own. Satisfying that she is trying as hard as she can to make her way in a brand new world while we work to redefine ours. Satisfying that she is experiencing and successfully handling the typical ups and downs of college life.

Of course, it's weird not having her around, sad not hearing her voice and quieter without the chatter of her and her friends. Of course there have been adjustments to make like dinnertime with just the three of us, knowing when and how often to call and for me personally, trying to adapt to life with just the guys! (Conversation is just not a priority!)

How have we handled it? I think my husband, son, and I have each handled her new stage of life in our own special way. We have each "mourned" what we miss most in different ways and celebrated seeing her for different reasons.

I thought that her wanting to come home would be the greatest feeling in the world but I have discovered now that her wanting to go back to school is even better! Not because I want her to go but because she wants to go. Not because I tear up every time she walks out of the door but because she doesn't tear up.

I miss her more that I can explain. But to think of her laughing among new friends, working hard (or not) in her classes and planning for her future is something that I find very, very satisfying!

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