wonder, worry and wait

The past few weeks have been somewhat hectic around our house. Jake is getting ready to head off to college, actually I should say "thinking" about getting ready to head off to college. He is able to officially move in on Sunday 8/17. He WILL NOT BE READY and I WORRY!

When we were at the lake at the end of July we had a good (at least at the time I thought it was good) talk with Jake about what he needed to do to get ready/organized for college. He had some lists, some prepare for college guidebooks so we thought he was going to take charge and get things done. He told us he handled everything and asked if he could go to his girlfriends cabin for the rest of the week. I should have realized he couldn't have possibly done all his planning and organizing in 1 1/2 days. But being the nice mother I am, I took his word for it and he dashed off to be with his girlfriend. He comes home to work one day, fiddle with his new computer and then goes back up to her cabin for 3 more days. Other than folding and refolding a few of his t-shirts, he has done nothing by this point. I WONDER what is he thinking?

On Tuesday night we had a good discussion (or so I thought) about getting organized, packed and ready for college. Wednesday started off well, with Jake and I spending almost 5 hours together...bank (new account), Wal-Mart (supplies), Staples (supplies), Bed Bath & Beyond (more stuff), WSU Fiscal Services (tuition information/website help), Crimson & Grey (books), Bookie (more books), CUB (activate Cougar Card).....if I hadn't insisted we do this stuff...would it have EVER gotten done? Yes, I could have taken the tough love approach and said "you are now an adult...you do this on your own or pay the consequences", but I would rather help him, empower him and help guide him with what needs to be done. But it's as frustrating as hell, because I thought he got this message the first time we talked about things 3 weeks ago. Does he not give a damn?

So, now I guess I just have to WAIT and see if he will learn from this and how he will handle things in the future. We will take him to the dorm on Sunday morning so he can pick out his bed and assess the room for space as to what else he will need/not need (aside from typical college stuff that he will hopefully pack). He works on Sunday afternoon and on Monday morning we'll move him in.

The drawback of living so close to campus is that he will undoubtedly call for me to bring him something that he forgot. I will do so, however, not at his convenience, but at mine. He needs to learn to be better organized and accountable. He is 18 after all.

Yes, this is a bit of a rant, but it's how I feel now. I am tired of the procrastination and laziness. Someone recently told me it's because 'he is a guy'...that's total crap. I'm not going to rationalize this type of behavior based on one's gender.

Oh well. He will learn, perhaps the hard way. I have given him the tools the past 18 years and I know he's a good kid and CAN DO WELL and SUCCEED...but he has to make the choice to do so.

Once he gets settled in his dorm, I will most likely wonder and worry if he'll even set his alarm for class....