The countdown to August 22nd has officially begun, and I can’t help but feel a mix of excitement and apprehension. My daughter, the ever-charming Lily, is preparing to leave for college, and while I’m thrilled for her, I know I’ll miss her presence in our home. This summer has been filled with her sporadic shifts at the local cinema and an abundance of requests for egg salad sandwiches and mall trips.
As the days inch closer to her departure, I’ve noticed her ongoing struggles—like never being able to find a beach towel when we head to the pool or her favorite pair of sandals. I can’t help but wonder if her future roommates will have a better handle on her belongings than I do. I mean, is there a checkbox on roommate matching forms for “ability to locate lost items” or “expertise in boiling eggs”? Probably not.
Part of me believes that college is an opportunity for Lily to learn valuable life skills, such as managing her own things and preparing simple meals—alongside tackling organic chemistry. Knowing her, she’ll likely find friends who will gladly take on those responsibilities. After all, she has a knack for attracting a loyal following—something I’ve experienced firsthand for the past 18 years.
It’s not that I haven’t tried to prepare her for independence. Sure, she can manage her bank account and stay punctual, but when it comes to making appointments for car maintenance or the doctor, she seems to falter—yet she has no trouble scheduling a mani-pedi! Thankfully, she won’t have her car on campus, but she still needs to find a dermatologist. If she neglects her skin care, at least her nails will shine. I can already picture her scouring Yelp for the top nail salons in Burlington, Vermont.
Lily often talks about becoming an independent woman, and I’ve encouraged her to start with small steps like doing her own laundry or obtaining her immunization records from the pediatrician. To date, I think she has managed one full load of laundry in her life! And I know I’ll be the one to retrieve those records, as they’re crucial for her college entrance—and my emotional release.
Recently, during one of our many mall escapades, we shared a meal where she expressed her concerns about the world’s injustices and her desire to make a significant impact. I admire her ambition, but I couldn’t help but suggest that perhaps she could start by making a difference in my life—like cleaning up after herself or preparing her own meals. Her eye roll was a clear indicator that she thought I was missing the point—she was aiming for global change, not just household chores.
In a light-hearted moment, I quoted Gandhi, encouraging her to “be the change you wish to see in the world.” She shot me a look that signaled disbelief as if I was trivializing his wisdom by applying it to laundry. However, I can’t help but think that even someone like Gandhi would have faced the eye rolls of his own teenagers.
As I attempt to embody the change I hope to see in my life, I plan to tidy up and organize today. After all, who wouldn’t want to make Gandhi proud? But first, I have to make some calls to the pediatrician’s office and the car dealership on Lily’s behalf. I can almost hear Gandhi “tsking” at me in the background!
So here I am, counting down the days: August 22nd is right around the corner, and I can’t help but feel a sense of liberation approaching.
For more parenting insights, check out this post on Modern Family Blog. If you want to explore resources on pregnancy and home insemination, I recommend visiting WHO’s maternal health section for excellent information. And for those looking for at-home insemination kits, Make A Mom has a great selection.
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