My mom wanted to share some sentiment about not only being the mother of a college kid, but one who doesn't get to see her child on weekend trips home.

"Be nice to your mom at Christmas.

I know it is finals week and you are all busting to finish up your semester so you can come home and see your friends, but spare a thought for your mom!

Let's face it. We love that you are out of the house. The place is cleaner, there is less laundry to do, it is cheaper to do the grocery shopping, and we get to choose what to watch on television without any critics. So yes, we are GLAD you have gone away to college!

But hey, it's been a long four months and we MISSED you! So get home already!

Your mom misses you. I know you are excited to go out with your hometown friends, your old besties. There are high school friends to catch up with, and hometown bars go to and Christmas shopping to fit in...

But you don't know that while you were away at college she thought of you often. But at the most random times. When she is shopping a Target and sees something you would like - her heart misses you just that little bit. And on Friday night when the family gathers for pizza before going out for the night, it's not quite the same without out. And on a lazy Sunday morning, the house is so quiet- that Sunday morning coffee is lonely without the accompanying tales of your Saturday night stories.

So don't forget to spend time with your mom when you get home. She doesn't need anything special! She really just wants the "ordinary" moments she is used to sharing with you. So wake up early on Sunday- take your mom to Starbucks (don't leave out the Saturday night stories) and then go and do a little Christmas shopping with her. She will enjoy just having you back, sharing some of the feelings of old.

But make a mental note to enjoy it! It won't be long before she is complaining about how messy you are- how much laundry you produce- and how expensive you are to feed!

From A Mom"