A small personal note this morning.
I am taking my younger son to university for the first time today. That's both exciting and a little nerve wracking for us both, but most especially for him.
But it's also a big change for me. After nineteen years of having children in the house, with the last few as effective sole parent, I will return to an empty nest. I will be taking a few days off to think about that, as well as the work programme I now have on this autumn, on which I will have more to say soon.
If blogging and comment moderation are slow for the next few days, that's why.
The upside is, of course, that I might have some more time to blog in the future. I know I've been a bit remiss on that front of late. And yes, that is a joke....
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Hope it all goes well. We are moving my eldest son to university on Friday. Similar feelings for us as well.
Craig
Good luck
Morning Richard I share your feelings and concerns. My son will be returning to campus in the next few days. He is very unsure of what to expect and what University life will be like. He is not a fresher but a senior lecturer. There is a real threat that many universities may not survive this crisis.
Derek
Many universities have now recruited a full quota so for now the risk is reduced
But it may just be deferred
Richard
Best wishes to him especially, not just for thriving at university but doing so in this weird Covid world. Our daughter is similarly heading off, but not for another 2 weeks (Liverpool) and there is quite a lot of trepidation on both sides.
Good luck
He loves Wales so wanted to go as soon as he could
Peace to you Richard, change is a lot to process, don’t get too morose. You have a lot of fans out here 🙂
No plan to get morose
I embrace change
But this one’s big
I’m sure your son will enjoy the experience, our daughter has made lasting friendships. The trip is amazing as well. Aberystwyth is a very special place (& I hope that you received my note about places to eat like Little Italy and where to stay?).
Best of luck to all.
Ian
I did take note
Many thanks
Richard
Remiss? Christ!!
Anyhow, as someone who will be going through this next year (with our daughter, and then two years on from that with our son) I wish your son all the best with Uni and a productive period of reflection for yourself.
Thanks
He was a very happy chap when I left him
What a terrible year to be starting. It was not hard to predict that the return to school would lead to a massive increase in demand for testing, whether or not most of the symptoms were COVID. Add the pressure to return to work. Now the return to universities. The inability to provide sufficient tests must lead to a massive increase in self-isolation, and an inability of schools, workplaces or universities to function even on a restricted basis.
The hope is that he will learn far more and far different things this year. Even more not to believe everything he is told. (Though he should believe most of what his father tells him about economics).
It is a terrible year
But then, I recall my grandmother (who I admittedly thought a straightforward misery during my childhood and a miserable, unthinking Tory during my teens) saying it would have been better if no children had been born since the 50s because the works was such a terrible place
Was it? Yes, in some ways. But not because of Russia. There were many ills to address then.
There are now
But I don’t regret being around.
My hope is he will not
And he’s very definitely learned how to argue his case…..he had no choice on that one
It sounds like, as a parent, you’ve done well indeed. Your son is happy and eager to get started on the rest of his life.
That’s what parenting is all about, isn’t it? Raising them, then letting them go, when the time comes, knowing they’ve got the tools and skills they need to make a success of themselves. His generation is out there now, raring to dig in, to make a difference.
That cheers me up.
I think he was hoping for a pint last night
But you’re right!
Today I’m literally walking on my own….
Richard, this is what I call a “threshold” moment in both your lives. Take your time, reflect and digest. It’s big.
And maybe, if you feel to, find resonant others with whom you can mark the transition into what is a wholly new phase of your own life. I found that really useful. Blessings to you both.
Thanks
Good luck to you all. Enjoy the next stage!
Thanks
Both of you embarking on new phases with a whole new set of opportunities, albeit with a tinge of loss. No question you’ll be able to fill the time!
Best wishes to both of you
Thanks
I’ve been reading a lot of John Crace in the Guardian recently – the only bright spot in all of this Boris Business – and he was not long ago lamenting the absence of his children.
It is a big change, no doubt about it but how many of our young ones will have to come back to the nest and live at home given the circumstances? There are 30 year old’s still living with parents now – and older!
Enjoy your solitude – because he may need to come back at sometime given the crappy country we are now living in.
I am well aware that his bedroom may be required for a long time to come