The Son (Occasionally) Rises
The hamper is overflowing, the cupboards are bare, and pieces of Reese’s Peanut Butter cereal dot a trail between the kitchen and the nearest TV. Yes, my Freshperson is back under our roof on Winter Break – a misnomer if there ever was one. A more accurate name would be Winter Month, because for most colleges, “break” runs from mid-December to mid-January, a perfect example of the old educational inverse proportion ratio: the more tuition you pay, the less time your scholar attends classes.
Yes, it’s nice to have him home. But now that he sleeps in ‘til 3:00 PM, I long for the afternoons I couldn’t get him down to nap; these days, we can’t get him up and moving until the sun goes down. Yes, yes, I know he’s recharging his batteries, and worn out from the all-nighters and stress of the end of the semester. He worked (and okay, partied) hard and we are proud of him. But, still.
Today a little past noon he stuck his head out of his lair to complain that the noise from workmen in the garage below was “keeping him up.” Couldn’t they come at a more convenient time (i.e. when he wasn’t sleeping)?
Well, I’ll be certain to make a note of that. The next time something needs fixing during one of his breaks, I’ll schedule the work for midnight to 3:00 AM. That way no one’s precious sleep will be disturbed but mine.
Comments
Sounds exactly like my teenager. My son just got back a couple weeks ago too, and he is still sleeping until one in the afternoon. I guess we all did that at one time!
When my son is home on vacation if I really want to catch up with him and find out what is going on in his life, 12pm is a good time. Then I sit on his bed while he is reading several websites at once and iming (how do you spell instant messaging?)his friends and we spend some time together. Of course I am exhausted the next day as I get up at 6:30am to help the younger siblings get ready for school.
Oh well- it is a pleasure to have him at home ...briefly!
My son came home from college for his winter vacation (aka my incarceration) on a health food kick. I long for the days when he ate Reese's peanut butter cereal cause at least you can stock up on that. Try having to go to the supermarket every other day to replenish the fridge with fresh fruit, fish, etc.
You actually can have a conversation? Kudos to you Girlll
As a recent college grad and now in the "real world" with me real job I should say that I never did go home over break. But, I do already miss the days that I was even capable of sleeping in until 1pm! I can't even sleep until 9am anymore on a sunday... These are the only times they have left to be kids, don't stop trying to talk with them while they IM, and don't give them any sympathy for getting woken up by anything at noon!
Four Your Information (FYI is better suited to IM conversations): Those lovely workmen you mention came at 9 AM after a night in which I worked until 4 finishing research for a professor of mine.
Automated Response: "hmmmf"
always,
-Fresh(man)
Perhaps those who have college kids sleeping until noon could inform them of those who are up early and volunteering to help:
Adopt a Soldier Ministries
Ahern Family Charitable Foundation
America Supporting Americans
American Heroes Tribute
The American Legion
Angels In Camouflage
Armed Forces Foundation
Army Aviation Association of America
Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc.
Blue Star Mothers Chapter 5
Carolina Troop Supporters
Cause-Comfort for America's Uniformed Services
Children of Fallen Soldiers Relief Fund
CinCHouse
Citizen Soldier Family Support Foundation
Dallas Is Love
Defending Freedom
Deployed Soldiers Family Foundation
Eagle's Watch Foundation
Employer Support of Guard Reserve
Family and Friends For Freedom Fund
Families United For Our Troops and Their Mission
Freedom Calls
Fisher House Foundation
Flags Across the Nation
Guardian Angels For Soldier's Pets
Gold Star Wives
Home of the Brave Quilts
The Home Front Cares
Heroes of the War on Terrorism Scholarship
