from the cutting room floor:

Anyone who knows me knows I am one of those people who had a tough time keeping it composed during life’s milestones; especially when it comes to my kids and my husband. I have a hard time with goodbyes. I know I’m not alone. My mom recently told me she had actually read a book on not turning into a weepy mess at touching moments.  This does NOT bode well for me in future years…however… this is why I’m leaning into the moments I see ahead of me. I asked one of my closest friends, Caroline Barney, and her daughter Madeline to come for lunch the week before Caroline would be dropping Madeline (her oldest daughter) at college for the first time.  Their openness about their mother/daughter relationship, the challenge of the process of applying to college and their honesty about how they thought they would feel when they’d separate was pretty powerful. 

I was grateful that Caroline -- a self proclaimed “feeler” having a difficult time balancing her excitement with her sadness having her oldest living far away from home – shared about how they had been working on “disconnecting” a bit ahead of the separation. Interesting perspective and can’t wait to check in with Madeline on her first break home!

Podcast show notes:

In this episode, Lindsay invites her friends, mother/daughter combo, Caroline and Madeline Barney to the house for an honest conversation about sending a first child off to college. They share what going through the process has taught them including valuable lessons about being present and finding your right “fit”.

episode breakdown:

Intro [00:00:00]

The college application process [00:02:58]

The dynamic between Caroline and Madeline [00:04:47]

Preparing for the transition to college [00:06:26]

The excitement of meeting new people [00:09:57]

Caroline's mixed emotions [00:10:21]

The joy of high school graduation [00:13:18]

The college application process [00:18:19]

The influence of social media [00:19:43]

Transitioning to college life [00:25:23]

The college experience in the past [00:27:14]

The impact of social media [00:29:09]

Shaping identity and telling oneself a positive story [00:31:24]

The emotional impact of chronic illness [00:36:35]

Coping with separation and creating space [00:38:22]

Reflecting on the track team and sisterhood [00:42:39]

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