Celebrity Parents' Most Emotional Moments from Their Kids' College Drop-Off: 'Our Hearts Are Sagging'

Mar. 15, 2025

Milania Giudice and Teresa Giudice. Brooke Shields.Photo:Teresa Giudice/Instagram; Brooke Shields/Instagram

Teresa Giudice/Instagram; Brooke Shields/Instagram

And just like that, it’s the start of the school year.

01of 08Brooke ShieldsBrooke Shieldsshared an emotional video to Instagram following the drop off of both of her daughters, declaring that she was now an empty nester.“I sat here a year ago and I watched my big girl leave and I’m back on this porch and I am now officially an empty nester,” the mom of two said tearfully. “And my little girl, she was just — they were just so… they’re together at least, but it’s really not easy for the moms.““I mean, it’s just so weird,” she continues, wiping her eyes. “So weird that she’s not here. Anyway, it was really hard and then she started crying, then I really started crying and then I cried a good portion of the ride home.“Shields shares her two daughters,Grier and Rowan, with husband Chris Henchy.

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Brooke Shields

Brooke Shieldsshared an emotional video to Instagram following the drop off of both of her daughters, declaring that she was now an empty nester.

“I sat here a year ago and I watched my big girl leave and I’m back on this porch and I am now officially an empty nester,” the mom of two said tearfully. “And my little girl, she was just — they were just so… they’re together at least, but it’s really not easy for the moms.”

“I mean, it’s just so weird,” she continues, wiping her eyes. “So weird that she’s not here. Anyway, it was really hard and then she started crying, then I really started crying and then I cried a good portion of the ride home.”

Shields shares her two daughters,Grier and Rowan, with husband Chris Henchy.

02of 08Ali WentworthAli Wentworth, who shares her two daughtersHarper Andrea StephanopoulosandElliott Anastasia Stephanopouloswith husbandGeorge Stephanopolous, hopped on Instagram on August 19 to document her move-in experience this year.“Who doesn’t love college move-in day? No air-conditioning. Need a degree in engineering to assemble anything,” she wrote. “Who needs a shower caddy? And now I’m crying cause I already miss her….”

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Ali Wentworth

Ali Wentworth, who shares her two daughtersHarper Andrea StephanopoulosandElliott Anastasia Stephanopouloswith husbandGeorge Stephanopolous, hopped on Instagram on August 19 to document her move-in experience this year.

“Who doesn’t love college move-in day? No air-conditioning. Need a degree in engineering to assemble anything,” she wrote. “Who needs a shower caddy? And now I’m crying cause I already miss her….”

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Teresa Giudice

Milania Giudice and Teresa Giudice.Teresa Giudice/Instagram

Teresa Giudice/Instagram

The mom of four shared a roundup of photos from move-in that included a look at Milania’s new dorm room as well as the teen tearing up as she hugs her mom and stepdad, Luis Ruelas.

“And she’s off♥️ leaving you this morning; I know you will do amazing things and make Mommy so proud at the University of Tampa,” Giudice, who shares her four daughters with ex-husband Joe Giudice, wrote. “Today is the start of a new, exciting chapter! I love you so much and can’t wait to watch everything you accomplish over these next four years♥️♥️”

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Al Roker & Deborah Roberts

Deborah Roberts, Nick Roker and Al Roker.Al Roker/Instagram

Al Roker/Instagram

BothAl RokerandDeborah Robertsshared sweet tributes to their son Nick after dropping him off for his junior year of college.

Roker shared his pride for his youngest child as well, writing on Instagram: “Dropped Nick off this afternoon. Hard to believe we have a college junior!! House is a little too quiet”

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Sunny Hostin

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Joanna Gaines

Joanna Gaines and her son.Joanna Gaines/Instagram

Joanna Gaines/Instagram

ChipandJoanna Gainesmight be experts in home design and renovating — andas they raise five children, they’re well-versed in all the highs, lows and milestones that come along with parenting too.

In early August, Joanna shared a sweet photo to Instagram hugging the couple’s oldest son, Drake, as he kicked off his sophomore year of college.

07of 08Guy FieriGuy and Lori Fieri with their son Ryder.Guy Fieri/InstagramGuy Fierishared a glimpse into his weekend moving in his youngest son, Ryder,into his new dorm at San Diego State University. Alongside a carousel of photos and videos shared to Instagram,the dad of twowrote “It hasn’t fully hit us yet, but not seeing him everyday is gonna be hard.“In addition, Fieri shared that his son’s new roommate had a familiar name: Hunter — the same name as Fieri’s older son.“So proud of you Ryder,” he concluded the sweet post. “Good luck!!”

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Guy Fieri

Guy and Lori Fieri with their son Ryder.Guy Fieri/Instagram

Guy Fieri/Instagram

Guy Fierishared a glimpse into his weekend moving in his youngest son, Ryder,into his new dorm at San Diego State University. Alongside a carousel of photos and videos shared to Instagram,the dad of twowrote “It hasn’t fully hit us yet, but not seeing him everyday is gonna be hard.”

In addition, Fieri shared that his son’s new roommate had a familiar name: Hunter — the same name as Fieri’s older son.“So proud of you Ryder,” he concluded the sweet post. “Good luck!!”

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Lara Spencer

After delivering her senior and sophomore to college, Lara Spencer had another challenge after that dreaded drop-off: A flight delay.

source: people.com