College Bound-Mom's Fears

The month of August always reminds me of back to school. After seeing numerous posts from friends sending their children off to college, I was hit with nostalgia mixed with anxiety. The nostalgia was in remembering how I loved the start of a new school year, the cooler weather, being on campus again and a new chance to learn. I loved college and would still be taking classes today if I could. The anxiety in anticipation of sending my son off to college soon. I'm sure the anxiety that I have is shared with other mom's who are sending a child to college this year.My anxiety is in anticipation of my son going off to college next year. I am fortunate that my son chose to do his first two years local. However, as he begins his sophomore year in college, I am nervous for his readiness of being on his own next year in a far off state. He's wanting to go to California or New York.Questions swarm my mind, mostly in wondering if I did a good job raising my son for the challenges ahead. Will he eat right? Can he prepare some healthy meals? Will he manage his money well? Have I instilled integrity and strong, moral values into him that he will not be swayed by the pressures of the cultural masses? Will he learn to be himself without giving into peer pressure?As I prepare mentally for releasing my son into college life, I know that part of the growth possess for him (and myself), is to allow him to fall and fail.Tears pour down my cheeks and sting my eyes as I feel a part of me is already separating from my heart and fear has invaded my thinking these days.* Fear that he will never come home again once he leaves. Or if he comeshome, he will not be the same compassionate, loving, intelligent, creativebeing that I know.* Fear that he will be influenced heavily by others just to be accepted into agroup.* Fear of tragic situations due to impulsive decisions leading to life alteringscenarios.* Fear that he is not mature enough to survive on his own and figure out what he wants to do with his life.The blessing is, I have one more year before many of my fears and anxiety become closer to reality. What I do in this coming year as a mom, could subdue some of the fears, I hope. For example; teaching him to cook a few healthy meals and promoting good health could benefit him. Provide him encouragement to remind him of who he is and to be strong. Continue conversations with him on life choices and the consequences of wrong turns. Finally, emphasize and demonstrate the importance of family, so when he needs support or feels lonely, he will reminisce of his fun, loving family and maybe even come home to visit.I look back and wonder how my mom did it with her 4 children that she cherished and sent them off to college. I know it wasn't easy when I was in college with my mom worrying at home. She prayed A LOT, which must have saved me from harm and tragedy while I was wrecking havoc at Ohio State. I too will pray daily when my son ventures off to college imagining those prayers as the wind beneath his wings to sustain him and allow him to successfully soar into who God created him to be.