Sayonara son... Welcome to the REAL world
My Number One (and Only) Son is about to graduate from college. I know I am not unique in feeling a flood of emotions at the very thought.
Hurray! No more tuition, room and board!
Oh, right. Also, quite proud he completed four years at an excellent university without ever getting arrested. In fact, this is an exceptional child who freely acknowledges he's a geek (as I was myself back in the day). He doesn't drink, smoke, or do any of the things I always thought were considered almost mandatory (in moderation and legally, of course) in COLLEGE.
Yeah, I know what you're thinking. That's just what he TELLS you. But BELIEVE ME, I WOULD HAVE BEEN HAPPY IF HE'D LET LOOSE A LITTLE BIT! I would find myself saying things like, didn't you tell me there was a party next door this Saturday? That they'd invited you and you saw a couple of cute girls? But you ended up not going?!!?"
"A SIP of beer isn't going to kill you! You're 21, for god's sake!" ( please, don't write and tell me what a bad mother I was being. I already know.)
I sometimes found myself asking him, are you sure you're getting the full college experience? You know, honing the skills, social and otherwise, that you will need to make your own way in life? Because, as much as we adore you, my Son, you'd better not count on your Mom and Dad to help you out when you are thrust into the real world. We, after all, are in the television news business. And look where THAT'S going.
Of course, our boy is the smart one in this operation. He watched his mother be a reporter and news anchor for years and his Dad doing his thing, wielding his unique skills as a leader (mostly as a news director) at many a TV station.
And right from the get-go, our son wanted to have NOTHING to do with any of it! Bravo! We didn't screw up totally, after all! LOL
Bear with me a minute, dear readers, and let me 'kvell' a little about my boy. Now here' s a child who's half-Chinese and half-Welsh (with a bunch of other AngloSaxon blood tossed in) and he is interested in ALL THINGS JAPANESE. Don't ask. He stands six feet tall with long hair that goes way past his shoulders. ( Oh, he will absolutely KILL me if he ever reads this blog. Happily, he doesn't care about blogs.)
It all began, I think, when he discovered Japanese anime and became fascinated with it. Before he went to Stuyvesant, he would regularly bring home buddies after school, guys like him whose idea of fun was playing games on the computer. But by the time he hit high school, I would usually find him in his room on a weekend evening ALONE and on the computer.
Where are your buddies? Aren't you guys going to hang out?
Mom, he would say with infinite patience (that is his Buddhist side), we ARE hanging out. We can't all play on just my computer, so we go to our respective homes and meet on our individual computers. And play! So don't worry! I have lots of friends!
Anyway, this love of anime (and I am talking about very beautiful, sometimes bizarrely gorgeous and violent, sophisticated animated works that have as much to do with Pokemon as Lord of the Rings has to do with Barney), this obsession, if you will, opened a world to my son that has drawn him into a passionate interest in everything Japanese.
So when my son decided he wanted to go to UC Berkeley and major in Japanese, I embraced him and whispered lovingly into his ear, "How about a minor in something useful like computer engineering!?" God, I could hardly believe I let those words slip from between my clenched teeth!
This was just the kind of thing my parents would lay on me and my brother, and trust me, it is the kiss of death. I knew better. But some mother gene kicked in against all my best intentions, and so there you are.
I happen to love Japan. After all, I got my graduate degree in Chinese and Japanese studies. (How did I know I was going to end up in the news business???? And frankly, that particular degree hasn't been all that helpful in this career. ) I was thrilled my son had found something to be passionate about.
But I worried. I tried not to express my worries to him. Okay, maybe once. Twice. All right, every chance I got. (No, I didn't really. Really.) Still, I would lie awake at night wondering how my son was going to make a living translating Japanese. Even if you're brilliant at it.
Then I remind myself that when I was about to graduate from Bryn Mawr with a degree in English lit, (go ahead, ask me anything about the silver poets of the 16th century!) I had no idea what I was going to do with my life. I felt the only thing I understood was college campus life, and I was petrified at the thought of going out into the real world.
So I applied to every school that had the LONGEST graduate programs in the country. This is absolutely true. And one of them happened to be Stanford, where I was lucky enough to be accepted into the doctoral program. Hallelujah! I could, I calculated, with cunning and skill, stretch this into something that would take decades!
Well, as those of you who've read my earlier blog about how I went from Asian studies to broadcasting know, life takes you to the most unexpected places.
I expect the same will unfold for my son. He is so much more confident than I ever was at his age. As his father keeps pointing out, our boy is grounded and knows what makes him happy. WE should have been so together at 21!
So, as I watch him move ever farther away from me (he's going to live for awhile in Japan), I sigh and wish him well. With all my heart. My darling boy, all grown up. When did this happen?

Comments: 3402
Wow.
I'm not a parent, but, I've watched friends children come into the world & grow up to have kids of their own. Even from that perspective, I know that having a child reach adulthood safe & grounded mentally is a wonderful thing!
Congratulations to both you & your husband on your son completing college and entering "the real world".
Of course, it's natural to be concerned, but, based on what you've outlined in your blog post, (which he hopefully will never read), I think your son will do fine.
Anime is now a very respected art form, and has come a long way from it's beginnings that I remember, (that would be "Astro Boy" during the 1960's). It always amazes me how various art forms can entertain AND inspire people.
The world could probably use an excellent Japanese translator.I'm sure he'll do very well at whatever type of career he pursues.
Plus with his love of "All things Japanese", I'm sure he'll have a much easier & better time in Japan than Bill Murray's character did in Sofia Coppola's "Lost In Translation"!
...., and the Japanese gals are gonna love him!
He'll be fine.
Ok, Kaity, you just blew my mind, what were you like 12 when you gave birth?
Be thankful your son is the way he is, believe me, the beers and smoking and hangin' out only prolong their decision to leave the nest. I gave birth to two of these fine creatures & my husband & I always encouraged socializing to our youngest, Chris because like your son, he spent so much time alone and on the computer, his brother on the other hand, didn't need a bit of encouragemnet as he was labeled the social butterfly by his teachers, now 24, he hangs out at home after work, and his 21 year old brother is never home, when I text him he usually answers, just havin' a few beers mom! Go figure!
Congratulations to you & your son!
By the way...what is G's real name? I'm thinking Gerald Goldfarb? Am I close?
Ok, Kaity, you just blew my mind, what were you like 12 when you gave birth?
Be thankful your son is the way he is, believe me, the beers and smoking and hangin' out only prolong their decision to leave the nest. I gave birth to two of these fine creatures & my husband & I always encouraged socializing to our youngest, Chris because like your son, he spent so much time alone and on the computer, his brother on the other hand, didn't need a bit of encouragemnet as he was labeled the social butterfly by his teachers, now 24, he hangs out at home after work, and his 21 year old brother is never home, when I text him he usually answers, just havin' a few beers mom! Go figure!
Congratulations to you & your son!
By the way...what is G's real name? I'm thinking Gerald Goldfarb? Am I close?
Congratulations! Lovely blog post. I'm graduating myself in a couple of weeks.
P.S. Chuck, she does read our messages! I just heard her read a piece of your post on the air. This makes me feel good posting.
Kaity,I am not a parent myself. But After Reading Your Blog,YOU Remind Me So Much Of My Mother. I Give YOU A LOT Of Credit TO HELP YOUR SON Suceed HIS Goals. Tony
Kaity,I am not a parent myself. But After Reading Your Blog,YOU Remind Me So Much Of My Mother. I Give YOU A LOT Of Credit TO HELP YOUR SON Suceed HIS Goals. Tony
Kaity,I am not a parent myself. But After Reading Your Blog,YOU Remind Me So Much Of My Mother. I Give YOU A LOT Of Credit TO HELP YOUR SON Suceed HIS Goals. Tony
Kaity,I am not a parent myself. But After Reading Your Blog,YOU Remind Me So Much Of My Mother. I Give YOU A LOT Of Credit TO HELP YOUR SON Suceed HIS Goals. Tony
Kaity,I am not a parent myself. But After Reading Your Blog,YOU Remind Me So Much Of My Mother. I Give YOU A LOT Of Credit TO HELP YOUR SON Suceed HIS Goals. Tony
Congraulations to your son as well as you!
I was reading your blog and tears filled my eye's my son will be entering the 11th grade come this september and already the colllege applactions have been in the mail box. I have a question that maybe you can answer, how did you do it? Meaning letting him go? My son said I need to cut the cord and let go a little but he just doesn't understand he's my baby he just turned 16 on mother's day. If you can't get back to me it's fine and very understandable, once again congratulations...
Now I know why I've been watching you, instead of others, deliver the news for decades.
We're both surprised when our kids can go away to college and behave so well. Don't look a gift horse in the mouth.
Best to you and your son.
Interesting blog! I am actually going to college this coming september and i am not at all sure what i want to do with the rest of my life, i hope that it will all be figured out like yours.
And wow your son went to stuyvesant?!!
Interesting blog! I am actually going to college this coming september and i am not at all sure what i want to do with the rest of my life, i hope that it will all be figured out like yours.
And wow your son went to stuyvesant?!!
Interesting blog! I am actually going to college this coming september and i am not at all sure what i want to do with the rest of my life, i hope that it will all be figured out like yours.
And wow your son went to stuyvesant?!!
Interesting blog! I am actually going to college this coming september and i am not at all sure what i want to do with the rest of my life, i hope that it will all be figured out like yours.
And wow your son went to stuyvesant?!!
3. Hi Kaity,
Kudos for writing this blog. Sure hope my mother writes a blog for me when i graduate from college..LOL
Omedeto to your son! He will definitely be successful.
Fine parenting=Proud parents
Ha. Congrats! Learning Japanese isn't that bad. And I love anime too! Though not as much as manga (Japanese comics, which usually turned into anime if they are populer enough).
Your post reminds me of my dad, who thinks I didn't live my life to the fullest because I don't drink, nor smoke, nor party as much as my peers did. He would shove money into my hand and told me off to a mall to shop something nice for myself, because I don't like (more like hate) shopping even though I'm a girl. But even after all that, I survived college and life just fine.
Oh by the way, congrats that you have your own personal blog and your own slash now! I love reading your posts, they are hysterical!. I started reading jim's blog first, didn't know you blog too. Then found out you do too a lot later on. Now I love yours more than jim's. Shhh. (sorry jim, I love reading yours too, and don't worry, I'm still rss-subscribed to your blog ^_^ )
Hi Kaity,
Congratulations to your son. He'll do fine, and
be very successful. One thing I always have in mind is...to study something that you're really passionate about, and get a degree...now that's success!
There's lots of people that go to college, graduate w/ a degree in one thing and when they start working they work in something totally different. They stay at a company for 10/15/20 years becz they're settled/comfortable, but they're not happy.
When you're totally out of school it's best to work in what you love becz you're in it for the long run.
P.S. Kaity, I'm a lit'l bummed out that what I wrote on your last blog is NOT there. Why?
I got a message stating that it will be in review by the owner. Did you read? I added a funny link on what I got in twitter.
Have a great day!
ICA
Many people graduate from college, why post this, let me guess, now he is going to be handed a job with a starting six figure salary,
right.
I have a son who reminds me so much of yours.I get the same thing from people - you only "think" he doesn't drink, smoke, or do drugs. This is a case like yours - where I KNOW for a fact what he's doing. He, too, is a geek! Just like me. And I so love him for it. You deserve to be proud of your son. This is a wonderful milestone. Congratulations to both of you.
Dear Readers, your wonderful and supportive comments have touched my heart. Thank you.
BTW, ICA, I did NOT read your comment on twitter! Don't know why you got that message. Please try to post again!
And Christina from Brooklyn, remind yourself, as I have to, that your child needs to spread his wings, but he will not fly away from you forever. (I know, easy to give such advice, but hard to do!)
Carol, G's real name is Irving Gikofsky!
Kaity,
My son is about to make the transition to middle school and I'm falling apart. His time at home is growing shorter. If your son is grounded, he will be fine. We all need time to find ourselves and find the groove that makes us happy. At least he doesn't want to go into space. Japan is much closer.
Best wishes to your family at this wonderful, bittersweet crossroad. You gave him roots and wings. He will always return.
Jayleen
Hi Kaity.........great blog......I think we would all like to see a picture of your son on tv when you talk about your blog.....and what is your son's name......keep on blogging........
Congratulations to you and your son, Kaity. You should be very proud of him, his father and yourself!
Kaity,
You must be so, so proud of your son. No matter what he doeas, he's got to be true to his heart and follow his dreams. That's rule #1 for finding genuine happiness.
I have twin 4.5 year olds. I can only imagine how tough it's going to be to let them leave home for the first time. Although, I hear the teenage years make that experience a little easier than one might expect:)
Congatulations on all your acomplishments. I have watched you as a fellow New Yorker for a long, long time:)
MV
Time sure flies! But since you raised him correctly, he did the right thing by concentrating on his sutdies. After graduation, he now has a whole big wide world to discover. Congrats! And FYI, you're a delight to watch every night.
mazel tov, kaity! wasn't it just the other day that you were anouncing your pregnancy on another news station? and then there was philip. yes, i remember it well. my daughter got her associate degree 2 years ago and finished her bachelor's this year. it was a wonderful ride but i get my roots touched up every 5 weeks. enjoy!
Dear Kaity, I hate to break it to you, but when it comes to our parents, unless we get arrested and they have to bail us out, we kids are near-experts at getting ourselves into all manner of trouble without our parents ever knowing about it. And it's the nice quiet geeky ones you have to be REALLY careful about. I speak from experience (sorry, mom & dad, you know I love ya!)...
Great blog posting, and congratulations on your son's graduation. I know he will make you proud.
Kaity, congratulations to your son on his graduation. And of course, congratulations to both you and your husband who, no doubted, guided and directed him through his years in school.
As an aside, I believe it was during this broadcast (May 12?) that I noticed you were wearing a beautiful necklace. You always look so elegant and the necklace you were wearing that day was simply stunning. I just want to know if you are willing to share with readers the name of the designer and/or the store where it could be purchased. Thank you.
Kaity, I loved this blog most of all, and I've been reading them ever since you've been writing.
Been watching you for years too.
WE WANT MORE KAITY!
We already know you excel in your craft, informing us as you entertain us every day. What we didn't know was that you are a spectacular mother. Your love of your son really shines through and your concerns as a parent are truly universal. I think that's why so many of us are are among your loyal following -- we can relate to you and you make us think, and you make us laugh.
What a sweet tribute you gave to your son. Hmmm, wonder what kind of mother-in-law you'll make one day. Fun, I'm sure!
pKQMc5
pKQMc5
If you have to do it, you might as well do it right.
If you have to do it, you might as well do it right.
Great site. Good info.
Great site. Good info.
I want to say - thank you for this!
If you have to do it, you might as well do it right.
If you have to do it, you might as well do it right.
Perfect work!
Perfect work!
p2wVXC Great site. Good info.
tvZUxv Very interesting site. Hope it will always be alive!
I bookmarked this link. Thank you for good job!
I bookmarked this link. Thank you for good job!
If you have to do it, you might as well do it right.
If you have to do it, you might as well do it right.
Beautiful site!
I bookmarked this link. Thank you for good job!
Beautiful site!
Great work, webmaster, nice design!
If you have to do it, you might as well do it right.
Very interesting site. Hope it will always be alive!
I bookmarked this link. Thank you for good job!
Great. Now i can say thank you!
Great. Now i can say thank you!
It is the coolest site, keep so!
Excellent site. It was pleasant to me.
Perfect site, i like it!
Very interesting site. Hope it will always be alive!
I want to say - thank you for this!
I bookmarked this link. Thank you for good job!
It is the coolest site, keep so!
I bookmarked this link. Thank you for good job!
Perfect work!
It is the coolest site, keep so!
Beautiful site!
Great. Now i can say thank you!
Great. Now i can say thank you!
Excellent site. It was pleasant to me.
Great site. Good info.
Perfect site, i like it!
Beautiful site!
Very interesting site. Hope it will always be alive!
Very interesting site. Hope it will always be alive!
Beautiful site!
Great. Now i can say thank you!
Perfect site, i like it!
Incredible site!
Perfect work!
Great site. Good info.
I bookmarked this link. Thank you for good job!
If you have to do it, you might as well do it right.
If you have to do it, you might as well do it right.
I want to say - thank you for this!
I want to say - thank you for this!
Very interesting site. Hope it will always be alive!
Great work, webmaster, nice design!
Great site. Keep doing.
Great site. Keep doing.
Perfect work!
Great site. Keep doing.
Great work, webmaster, nice design!
Beautiful site!
Incredible site!
Great work, webmaster, nice design!
I bookmarked this link. Thank you for good job!
Perfect work!
I bookmarked this link. Thank you for good job!
I bookmarked this link. Thank you for good job!
Very interesting site. Hope it will always be alive!
Beautiful site!
I want to say - thank you for this!
Perfect work!
Great work, webmaster, nice design!
It is the coolest site, keep so!
Incredible site!
Perfect site, i like it!
Excellent site. It was pleasant to me.
Very interesting site. Hope it will always be alive!
Great work, webmaster, nice design!
I want to say - thank you for this!
Perfect site, i like it!
Incredible site!
It is the coolest site, keep so!
Perfect work!
I want to say - thank you for this!
Excellent site. It was pleasant to me.
Very interesting site. Hope it will always be alive!
Great site. Good info.
It is the coolest site, keep so!
Very nice site! cheap viagra
Very nice site!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Very interesting site. Hope it will always be alive!
Hello!
Hello!
Beautiful site!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
I want to say - thank you for this!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Perfect site, i like it!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
If you have to do it, you might as well do it right.
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
I bookmarked this link. Thank you for good job!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Great site. Keep doing.
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
If you have to do it, you might as well do it right.
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Great. Now i can say thank you!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Beautiful site!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
I want to say - thank you for this!
Hello!
Hello!
I bookmarked this link. Thank you for good job!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
I want to say - thank you for this!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Very nice site! cheap viagra
Very nice site!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
I bookmarked this link. Thank you for good job!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Great work, webmaster, nice design!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Great. Now i can say thank you!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Great site. Keep doing.
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
It is the coolest site, keep so!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Incredible site!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Excellent site. It was pleasant to me.
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Perfect work!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Incredible site!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Very nice site! cheap viagra
Very nice site!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Excellent site. It was pleasant to me.
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Very interesting site. Hope it will always be alive!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
I want to say - thank you for this!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Perfect work!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Great site. Good info.
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Great site. Keep doing.
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Very interesting site. Hope it will always be alive!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!