DD feeling a little homesick

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-18-2005
DD feeling a little homesick
3
Wed, 07-19-2006 - 7:37am

DD is almost through her college/camp experience and is having a bit of an emotional roller coaster. It's the stress of squeezing the equivalent of half-semester of college into two weeks, trying to build, negotiate, and maintain "close" friendships with girls she's only known a couple of weeks, not getting enough sleep, and not being home.

Yesterday, she called me from the library - totally stressed and in tears......and then my phone died! In the middle of a teen-girl meltdown. I actually have two cells (personal and work) and BOTH of them had no power. I found a pay phone, called DH, and asked him to call her back. My DH isn't always the most emotionally available guy, but he definitely comes through in a pinch. She called me later and said "Dad always helps me keep things in perspective".

Interestingly, DH was really thrown to hear her so upset. Usually she reserves that for me, and by the time he gets home from work (sometimes even less than an hour later), she's fine. She seems to go through this cycle of working herself into a tizzy, and then getting re-focussed.

Last night, DD was quick to tell me "it's not as bad as it sounded" and "I really like this place, actually". I think the super-close proximity to so many other girls is what's getting to her. She likes her alone time, her own room, and some separation from her friends. It's hard to get that in a dorm!

She's coming home Saturday - Yipee!

Sue

Avatar for heartsandroses2002
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Wed, 07-19-2006 - 8:17am

Hey Sue, your dd sounds a bit like mine. She usually seems (and is) so capable, mature and willing to check out a new situation. She has these meltdowns every once in a while and it's always related to simply adjusting to a stressful or 'new' situation - basically expressing herself in a rational...not so emotional...way.

It's great that she was able to have this experience and wonderful that her dad was able to help her regain her composure and refocus. That must have made him feel good.

Amazingly, my H is also not the most mushy, emotionally available guy, but dd and he seem to strike a common chord in one another. Sometimes she will even by-pass me now and go straight to him - I know he's always surprised by that but also flattered. Like your dd she usually does the crying and worrying with me and then by the time he gets home she's all better and so he doesn't see first hand how distraught she was.

I'm glad she's having a good time, settling in and realizes that she's surrounded by people in the same boat. Sometimes I think that's half the battle - our dd's don't realize that they are not alone in this.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-06-2006
Wed, 07-19-2006 - 11:21am

Oh wow Sue! This does sound a little stressful! I'll bet she'll be happy to be home and in her own bed on Saturday.

My DD too, like her alone time. Even though she'll get down because she doesn't have any close friends nearby, no one to hang out with, I've noticed that she'll turn down as many invitations as she accepts ... for no reason other than that she wants to stay home.

A friend called last weekend and wanted her to go on a week-long road trip with her and her mom. DD flat out turned her down; didn't even consider it for a moment. The thought of having to be 'on' for a week straight -- without a break -- was exhausting to DD and had virtually no appeal. Sometimes, I just can't figure the child out.

I hope the rest of her week goes well!

Julie

 

 

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-14-2000
Wed, 07-19-2006 - 12:39pm
Aww - it's tough when they get homesick, isn't it?
Pam