September – school is in full swing – the nights are cooler – the leaves are turning – and summer is a mere memory. This summer will undoubtedly be remembered as one where sporadic weather ruled – excessive heat waves mixed with cool temps, cloudy afternoons and thunderstorms.The summer of 2006 also will be remembered by one NFH publisher as three months of grueling college prep – for the parents.Megan Barrette graduated from high school in May, and the lazy, hazy days of summer took on added meaning as preparations for college became the Barrette family focus. While dazed at the thought of the first born leaving home and venturing into new territory independent of mom and dad, certain activities like shopping for clothes, sheets, towels, a computer and all else necessary for that maiden freshman year took precedence.The haze set in when the money poured out. But all that haziness helped mask the emotions and fears of sending a child, who not so long ago wore diapers and pig tails, to a big university three hours away where males and females share the same dormitory.The haze helped relieve the anxiety of second guessing those parenting skills and the insane worry about how an 18-year-old could maintain amidst all that college craziness? How would her vacancy affect her two younger sisters and Bouncer, the family dog? Would Megan sleep at night knowing that Dad was not a stone’s throw away? Would Dad ever sleep again knowing that college boys overloaded with testosterone were just a stone’s throw away – from his little girl?Ah, yes, a summer to remember: when one says good-bye to the child/teenager and braces for the I-now-know-everything attitude of a college student on the cusp of adulthood.So it goes. Parenting in some ways could be likened to the newspaper business or any business. We give birth to a concept; we nurture it and hope that it grows up to be valuable to a community. And we try not to lose sleep over the competition that is a stone’s throw away – or those who love throwing stones!Anyway, we once again say good luck to Megan Barrette, who is leaving not only her family but also the NFH. Thanks for your hard work, Megan, and please think about a career as a newspaper publisher.Meanwhile, we would like to welcome Melanie and Haley Dufaud, who will be distributing the newspaper for the NFH. Haley will be a seventh grader in D 49, so if you see Haley and Melanie around town delivering papers, say hello.Last but not least: As we continue to “parent” our newspaper, we are close to announcing our plans to bring the NFH to twice a month. More on that in October.Peace to all freshman parents,-Michelle & Marylou
