My Favorite Domer (AKA College Guy) has decided to unpack — just a week before he re-packs for his return to South Bend.
What’s up with that?
When he came home nearly three months ago, he’d hoped to find a job, particularly in his major OR doing anything at a “name” business (things that would look good on his budding resume and give him some valuable experience).
It wasn’t to be.
Try as he might, there was nothing available.
So he toyed with the idea of going back and taking summer classes — not a particularly desirable option, as he’d spent last summer doing just that.
Eventually, he decided to stay home — “independent study,” he called it. He ordered a stack of books recommended by his professors and proceeded to read through them, soaking up a wealth of information that will help him along the way (without having to worry about time or grades!).
You’d have thought that somewhere along the line, he’d want to unpack. I thought he would. But no.
Whenever he needed something that was still in a suitcase or box or container, he dug in, fished it out, and left the rest of the stuff neatly packed.
I asked him about it, and he told me he didn’t want to inadvertently leave something important behind when he headed off for Fall Term.
Sounds logical.
It also hastened the time it took to go through his stuff and make a list of what he needed to replenish.
Still, the mom in me can’t help but wonder — despite how much he loves being on campus — if maybe, just maybe, a part of him will miss being at home.
Yeah, that’s gotta be it.
Even then, he won’t miss home as much as we’ll miss him!
Musings by an ND Domer's Mom 
Maybe my son could take a lesson from College Guy. Mine made himself quite comfy at home over the summer, including filling the hamper with a week’s worth of his dirty clothes just before leaving for a weekend at the lake with his girlfriend and her family. If he plays his cards right, he’ll head back to school with every bit of his laundry done for him!
HaHa, I know just what you mean, Terri! Having him home is wonderful, but it’s true that I have more free time when he’s back on campus — where he does his own laundry! Too bad that only works part of the time; the rest of the time, he’s “saving” it up for Fall Break, Christmas Break, Easter, etc.!
I think you are exactly right! Of-course he misses home and for much more than the laundry service. Funny, most of the college mom’s I know do laundry and just like your boy will misses home–it seems most of those mom’s miss doing their kids laundry at least a little bit.
I do too! I know he’s pretty fastidious, but when he’s away, I miss knowing he’s clean and spiffy-looking, that he’s not running around looking like he came from a cardboard box under a bridge!
I like to think he will miss being at home. Being in another environment often makes them realize how good home is.
Just like when we left the kids at my parents’ house today to spend a few nights, even though they couldn’t wait to get rid of us, I think they’ll miss us. I think…
I’m sure they’ll miss you, Janna! Kids put on their brave faces when they leave home, whether it be for an overnight or for college, but part of them never leaves — it didn’t with me, and it hasn’t with my son. I guess Dorothy had it right all along, “There’s no place like home!”
Kids, I know mine don’t do things according to my logic! I know he’ll miss home once he goes back to school, even if he doesn’t admit it. The up part for me is that when my kids went away to college they learned to do their own laundry and continue to do so when they come home. Am I allowed to admit I don’t feel needed anymore?
Aw, Suzi, you sound like a good mommie, teaching them to do for themselves! I tried, really I did, and my son does just fine when he’s at school — but for some odd reason, all that “learning” flies out the window the minute he comes home. He says I do it “better.” I think he’s learned the power of flattery!! Must be the Blarney Stone in him!
Debbie, what a precious story! I’ll bet he’ll be missing home even though he may not admit it. But I had to chuckle at your comment”you’d think he’d want to unpack” I guess it worked for him 🙂
His first year was really hard. He’d never really been away much, so he didn’t know what “homesick” felt like. He’s since adjusted and acts all brave and manly, but everybody misses home. That’s the place we all go to when we need comfort and understanding (unless our home was a battlefront, which is a horse of another color). Thanks for visiting and weighing in!