My eldest son is leaving for college in less than a week!!! I still can’t believe it! For those of you who have gone through a child leaving home… it sure does sneak up on you, doesn’t it? Wasn’t he just yesterday a nursing babe in arms? I am still trying to wrap my brain around this one. Surely a BIG rite of passage for us parents, as well.

A few weeks ago in an effort to make a lasting BTD impression upon his still tender soul, I wanted to know if he, indeed, understood how wheat is in almost every baked good readily available. As he is an O, I felt it necessary that he grasp that fully. I asked him… “Do you know what wheat is?” He responded, in a snarly voice, “The Devil!!!” I just cracked up!! And so true for those O’s … I’m glad he gets it. We also talked about what types of food he should keep in his dorm room… like additive free beef jerky, fresh fruit, nuts… and he promised me absolutely no Ramen noodles! And I think I will order him a couple of cases of Unibars for good measure.

I know that eating cafeteria food in the dorms will be a challenge as well and we also discussed what would be good choices for him as an O. He has learned what foods he reacts to and how they affect his bodymind. And he doesn’t always make the best choices in the food arena… but at least he knows. And that is really all we can do as a parent… teach our children what we feel/know to be best. But ultimately it is up to them to make their own choices… in food… and in life. And to learn how to live with the consequences of each.