As kids go to college, parents go to pieces

It comes as a stunning realization for some parents. The childwho was starting kindergarten just a few years ago is now packing upto go away to college.

One suburban mother describes herself as "a blubbering mass oftears," and other parents say the feeling is similar to grieving.

But experts say smart mothers and fathers will not cling to thepast and will discover new personal opportunities as their nestempties. And they suggest scheduling a memorable parent-child eventto seal the bonds before letting go. Bryan Smith's story on Pages 12-13A, along with a related report byLon Grahnke on campus efforts to curb binge drinking