Why Nothing Prepares You for Letting Go

As we drop off our oldest child at college this week, we’re having the conversation every family eventually faces. People try to prepare you for this moment. They really do. But I don’t think anything truly prepares you for letting go. And I want to be honest…we’re not coming at this from a place of having all the answers. This week, my husband John, our daughter Caroline, and I talk through what this transition actually feels like from both sides. Caroline tells us what she needs from us as parents (it’s probably less than we think… and more than we realize). John is handling it in his very John way, steady and practical. And me? I’m somewhere between incredibly proud and completely undone. We also share the best college advice we’ve ever received.  If you’re sending a child to college or you’ve already been there, I hope this episode feels like a hug and a reminder that this isn’t the end of your relationship. It’s the beginning of a new one. And if you hear me trying not to cry… just know I didn’t succeed. Life Happens. Let’s Talk About It.  Listen in to learn more:  [0:01:42] Dad’s Excitement vs. Mom’s Grief-Wrapped Celebration [0:03:51] Caroline’s Request for Support and Space [0:06:21] Dorm Prep, Pinterest Boards, and Move-In Madness [0:09:39] Communication Expectations After Move-In [0:11:37] Free Meals, Church Visits, and Staying Connected [0:13:18] Setting a Fixed College Budget for All Kids [0:14:13] Learning Financial Responsibility Through College Choice [0:16:36] College Is What You Make It, Not Where You Go [0:20:24] Siblings, Changing Home Dynamics, and Goodbyes [0:21:31] The Numbers 6:24–26 Family Blessing [0:23:21] Who Do You Want to Be When You Grow Up? [0:24:16] Caroline’s Vision of the Person She Wants to Become [0:25:44] Letting Go, Trusting God, and Looking Ahead In this episode, we are digging into the emotional highs and lows of dropping a child off at college, how family members process and navigate this transition differently, practical advice for parents preparing to launch their kids, the financial realities that influence college choices, and why who our kids become matters more than the college or career paths they choose. LINKS Connect with Paula on Instagram  Paula’s Newsletter is on Substack!!  THE CARRY ALL weekly newsletter is on Substack!!  Paula’s Book: You Don’t Have To Carry It All Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices