Lately, our house has turned into an ongoing college debate club. My teenagers have decided that discussing colleges is their new favorite pastime. And by "discussing," I mean passionately arguing about which school has the best dorms, the best food, and the most Instagram-worthy campus spots. You know, all the truly essential factors in higher education.
"Mom, I could totally see myself at this school," my daughter declares while showing me a TikTok of students dancing in their dorm rooms. "Look at the vibe!"
Meanwhile, my son, ever the financial analyst, chimes in, "Yeah, but what about tuition? We need to consider ROI, future job prospects, and—"
She cuts him off with an eye roll. "Ugh, you sound like Mom."
Excuse me? I am sitting right here.
Then there is the ongoing debate about distance. One moment, they want to spread their wings and move across the country. The next, they are panicking at the thought of doing their own laundry.
"But if I stay close to home, you could still cook for me!" one of them suggests with a hopeful grin. Nice try. I am not running a meal plan.
Then comes the part where they ask about majors. My daughter, who changes career dreams more often than I change the Wi-Fi password, is considering everything from marine biology to digital marketing. My son, always practical, just sighs and says, "I’ll figure it out."
In the end, I nod, I smile, and I pretend I am totally prepared for them to leave the nest. But deep down, I know that no matter where they go, I will miss the chaos, the college debates, and even the desperate pleas for home-cooked meals. Well… maybe.