There are some moments in motherhood that no book, podcast, or parenting guru can fully prepare you for.
Watching your firstborn graduate high school, choose their college, and start packing up their childhood bedroom? That’s one of them. And if you’re anything like me, you’re probably clinging to every “last”—last lunchbox note, last shared bedtime story, last random dance in the kitchen—knowing that the big goodbye is just around the corner.
I’ve always known this day would come. I just didn’t expect it to feel like this: my heart somehow both bursting with pride and shattered in pieces on the floor.
The Moment You Know They’re Ready (Even If You’re Not)
When I first met my daughter Grace, I caught my breath—literally. She was so tiny and so perfect that I felt my entire soul rearrange in an instant. That kind of love? It’s consuming. It’s fierce. It’s eternal.
And then, I blinked.
This year, we visited college campuses together. She narrowed it down to two. One of them was my top pick (of course I didn’t let her know that… not too much anyway). Then one day, in a parking lot filled with teens in caps and gowns, holding signs for their future alma maters, my daughter looked me in the eye and said, “No, I’ve made my decision.”
She held up the sign for my dream school. The one several states away. The one that would take her far from home.
I started jumping up and down in that parking lot like a crazy person. Pure joy. But when the celebration faded, the reality began to set in—she was really going.
And then the tears came.
The Bittersweet Goodbye We Never Really Talk About
That night, my husband found me snuggled up with our oldest son in a puddle of tears. The woman who had cheered loudest at Grace’s college decision was now mourning the absence of everyday moments: dinners together, sister giggles down the hall, her spontaneous kindness lighting up the room.
Grace, our firstborn, was our “practice child.” We knew nothing. We stumbled through diapers, temper tantrums, tween drama, and the messiness of growing up. But through it all, she gave us grace (true to her name). And now, she was ready to fly.
No one tells you that parenting is a series of letting go. First their hand, then the bike seat, then your driveway. And eventually, you let go of their room as they step into the future you’ve spent 18 years preparing them for.
Dear Fellow Mama—Feel It All
If you’re reading this and your child hasn’t left home yet, let me just say this: don’t waste a moment.
Make the memories. Take the trip. Play the game. Be silly. Be present. Because the days are long, but the years? Lightning fast.
And if you’re in this messy, beautiful, painful transition like me—allow yourself to feel it all. Cry. Celebrate. Be proud. Be heartbroken. Our children need to see that love means feeling, even when it’s uncomfortable. According to Brené Brown, research professor at the University of Houston, “Vulnerability is the birthplace of love, belonging, joy, courage, empathy, and creativity.” Don’t rob yourself—or your family—of that connection.
And now, as we prepare to send our kids off into the world, we shift from caretakers to cheerleaders. From chauffeurs to sounding boards. From protectors to prayer warriors.
But before we hug them tight and wave goodbye, let’s give them tools to thrive.
14 Real-Life Wellness Tips for College Students (That Moms Everywhere Can Feel Good About)
From the voice of one mama to your student, here’s how to stay grounded, healthy, and thriving in the whirlwind of college life:
1. Prioritize Sleep Like Your GPA Depends On It (Because It Does)
Chronic sleep deprivation can reduce cognitive function, memory, and focus. According to Harvard Medical School, students who prioritize sleep perform better academically. Get 7–9 hours. Make naps your friend.
2. Learn to Chill—For Real
Relaxation isn’t lazy. It’s essential. Anxiety levels in college students are at an all-time high. Deep breathing, journaling, meditation apps like Headspace, or just talking it out with someone can help regulate your nervous system.
3. Walk It Off
Opt for sneakers over Uber. Walking not only saves money but boosts heart health and brain function, per the American Heart Association. Bonus? It’s a mood booster.
4. Ride Responsibly
Biking is brilliant—but so is wearing a helmet. Enough said.
5. Plug Into Your People
Join a campus group, volunteer, or participate in events. Social connection is directly linked to better mental health, per studies from UCLA’s Social Neuroscience Lab.
6. Eat What Fuels, Not Just What Fills
Ditch the vending machine as your main food group. You don’t need to be a nutritionist, just tuned in to how food affects your body. Whole foods = whole mood.
7. Never Skip Breakfast
It fuels your brain and balances your blood sugar. Even something simple like Greek yogurt and a banana can stabilize your energy.
8. Hydrate Like You Mean It
Water is a non-negotiable. Dehydration mimics anxiety and fatigue. Aim for at least 8 glasses a day.
9. Seek Help Early
Eating disorders, anxiety, depression—these are real and treatable. The campus counseling center is not a last resort. It’s a resource.
10. Get Your Shots and Wash Those Hands
Your immune system deserves a little support. Keep up with flu, COVID, and other necessary vaccinations.
11. Keep Up with Medical Checkups
Adulting includes annual checkups. Find a local doctor or use campus health services.
12. Know Your Emergency Contacts
Always have someone to call. Program ICE (In Case of Emergency) contacts into your phone.
13. Master Time Management
A planner or calendar app can save your semester. Break tasks into chunks. Use timers. Celebrate small wins.
14. Practice Safe, Intentional Intimacy
It’s awkward to talk about—but not knowing the facts is more dangerous. Respect yourself and others. Consent, protection, emotional readiness—these matter.
Final Words From One Mama to Another
As I prepare to hug Grace goodbye this fall, I know I’ll be a mess. And that’s okay.
Because what we’re doing—this sacred, slow unraveling of motherhood—is the ultimate act of love. We raise them to leave us, and then we trust the roots we gave them to hold.
And somewhere between the goodbye tears and the group texts and the care packages, we begin a new chapter too: one of watching them soar.
So, here’s to the mamas holding it all together while quietly falling apart—and to the brave young adults who carry pieces of our hearts into the world.
P.S. Hug them tighter tonight. You’ll never regret it.
Want more honest, heartfelt mom-to-mom advice on parenting, wellness, and everything in between?
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