Joanna Gaines Shares Emotional Message As Kids Go Back to College

Paige StroutMon, August 17, 2026 at 7:31 PM UTC

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THE TONIGHT SHOW STARRING JIMMY FALLON -- Episode 1799 -- Pictured: TV personalities Chip Gaines and Joanna Gaines pose together backstage on Tuesday, February 14, 2023; Joanna Gaines and kids via Instagram, August 9, 2025. - Todd Owyoung/NBC via Getty Images; Courtesy of Joanna Gaines/Instagram

Back-to-school season has begun for Chip and Joanna Gaines‘ family, which means bidding farewell to their kids as they head back to college.

Joanna took to Instagram on Sunday, August 16, to share an emotional message to fellow parents going through a similar time in life. “To all the parents sending their kids off to college…” she wrote. “I know that feeling all too well. Holding on a little tighter before letting go. Feeling proud of who they’re becoming and wishing time would slow down. But there’s nothing more fulfilling than watching your kids grow beyond you.”

She concluded the message by telling fans, “I’m feeling it with you.”

In the post’s caption, Joanna added, “Thinking of all the parents sending their kids off to college this season. I’ve been on that side of move-in day, so I know the wide range of emotions well. As hard as that goodbye is, there’s nothing more fulfilling than watching your kid grow beyond you —it’s one of the greatest gifts of being a parent. May you find joy, comfort, and gratitude in the letting go.”

Joanna and Chip are the parents of five children: Drake, Ella, Duke, Emmie, and Crew. The couple’s eldest two children will be entering their senior and sophomore years of college, respectively. The post featured several rare pics of the kids, including one of Joanna hugging one of her sons, a group hug photo, a snap of Ella in her graduation cap and gown, and more.

Fans reacted to Joanna’s message and shared their own experiences in the post’s comments. “So perfectly said. The growing pains of letting go and watching them soar! It’s what we raised them to do!! I have loved every season with mine,” one user wrote. Another added, “It is fulfilling to see them grow & become confident young adults.. as a Mom..it did take a piece of my heart to see both my boys leave..one for the military & one for work..both living states away…proud that they are thriving & living good lives & still call home weekly!!”

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Someone else shared, “All of the feels! Sending my youngest and needed to change my mindset… I’m not an empty nester, I’m a bird launcher!!” A different person posted, “I dropped my son off for college in 2008, and I can still feel the emotion from it. It was so hard for both of us, but we both survived.”

Before sending their kids back to college, Joanna and Chip recently kicked off the end of summer by taking a family trip to the mountains. “A few days in the mountains with the whole fam, makes this mama’s heart so happy,” Joanna wrote alongside a montage of clips from the trip via Instagram, during which they appeared to stay in the home featured on Fixer Upper: Colorado Mountain House last year. “Fishing, chopping down dead trees, making forts for the [squirrels], crunchy french toast, rodeo, bikes, and family hikes.”

The couple’s back-to-school season also coincides with the announcement of the 40th issue of Joanna’s magazine, Magnolia Journal. “It feels wild to put that kind of number to it. Ten years ago, our small team could never have imagined we’d still get to create this beautiful magazine,” Joanna captioned a pic of the cover, which featured both herself and Chip, via Instagram on Friday, August 14. “If you’ve been on this journey with us—thank you! I hope you feel we’ve brought you along, shared what we’ve learned, and made each theme feel like tangible fruit: there for the taking, enjoying, and nourishing.”

She added, “Here’s to 40 more! We sure do love sharing this work with you. #magnoliajournal.”

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”