It's no secret know how hard it can be for any parent when it comes to sending their kids off to school — especially college. Joanna Gaines posted a glimpse into an emotional moment shared between her and her older son Drake as he prepared to leave for his second year of college. On August 8, 2024, the 46-year-old interior designer posted a photo with her son on her Instagram. Wearing a yellow baseball cap and sunglasses, Joanna is seen giving her 18-year-old a big hug, and he has his arms wrapped around her.
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Joanna sent love to other parents dealing with the same thing.
"Second year in college… saying goodbye doesn't get easier," the HGTV star captioned the post, which comes five days after she shared a video of her family's vacation to St. Lucia. "Lots of love to all the parents sending their kids off to school this season ."
Other parents weighed in.
Fellow parents flooded the comments with support.
"Did that MANY years ago. Still choke up thinking about it. Hardest part in being a parent…letting them fly. ❤️," one person wrote.
"Makes no difference where they are distance. Out of your home is the heartbreak. Knowing they will never be home again the same way is heartbreaking," another person shared. "Good for all you parents who are happy about them leaving, for the rest of us it’s tough."
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Some parents gave encouragement for letting go.
Although a lot of parents echoed Joanna's sentiments of it not being easy to send a child off from the home, others gave some words of advice when it comes to letting go.
"Yes it’s hard. However, as a parent of three grown boys I marvel at the amazing men and dads they are now. This is the reward for letting go.❤️," one person wrote.
"But the blessing is seeing them grow!" another person commented. "Sending off #3 this year. ❤️."
Joanna has four other kids.
In addition to Drake, Joanna has four other kids with husband Chip Gaines. They are sons Duke, 16, and Crew, 6, along with daughters Ella, 17, and Emmie, 14. She often shares sweet moments with her children on her Instagram page.
Joanna previously opened up about motherhood.
In a former interview with Southern Living, Joanna talked about what being a mother means to her. "The greatest investment with my time is with my husband and my kids," she shared. "So that always has to come first."
