My son is applying to 17 colleges. The stress is becoming too much for both of us.

• My son is applying to 17 colleges, and the application process is causing us both stress.
• My husband and I are proofreading his essays and filling out the FAFSA for him.
• My son is staying up late to get it all done, but I'm trying to make sure he stays healthy.

I knew this time would come; I just didn't know I'd dread it so much.

My only child is now a high-school senior. To say these past few months have been tough would be an understatement — the acute and specific ache of my oncoming empty-nest status notwithstanding.