DD graduates in five weeks, and I'm really, really sad

[Anonymous]

It helps to choose something fun to look forward to -- a hobby that you didn't previously have time to pursue, etc. I am looking forward to going camping with hubby once the kids are out of the house. Right now our weekends are too busy to do that and I love camping. I have also begun running 5K's on weekends (I'm fat and run slowly!). It's nice to have planned activities to look forward to, because once you no longer have the kids activities, you will be a bit at sea with all the free time.

[Anonymous]

I have an 8 yr old and dread that he'll be in 3rd grade next year! We're very close and spend a lot of time together, and I dread the day he leaves our home. He's our only, too. When he was 4, while taking his bath, he asked me about how school and grades worked, so I explained to him that after K, you go to 1st grade, then to second, fast forward to college. His little lip started trembling, then fill blown crying, over how he never wanted to leave home, never leave me. I will never forget how I felt as I sat on the toilet, talking to him about him growing up. I just love him soooo so much!

[Anonymous]

I have an only child in 5th grade. I am cherishing every minute and know that I will probably be so emotional at his graduation that I might need to be airlifted out of there (smile). Just know that you are not alone feeling the way that you do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have an only child in 5th grade. I am cherishing every minute and know that I will probably be so emotional at his graduation that I might need to be airlifted out of there (smile). Just know that you are not alone feeling the way that you do.

That is exactly how I feel. I love my time spent with son, and I let him know that I do cherish that time as well.

[Anonymous]

Well, I've got a 7th grader and a 2nd grader and I routinely cry at the thought that we only have 5 more years with the older one. Makes me so sad to think about it, I have loved being their parent and having a full house. Life is transitions though, right? You need to let her go and be enthusiastic about it, but you know that, and you'll get through it. Peace.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well, I've got a 7th grader and a 2nd grader and I routinely cry at the thought that we only have 5 more years with the older one. Makes me so sad to think about it, I have loved being their parent and having a full house. Life is transitions though, right? You need to let her go and be enthusiastic about it, but you know that, and you'll get through it. Peace.

You have ten more years. Do you think you will be crying for all that time? Live your life in the present. Enjoy it. Talk to someone professional if you have to.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well, I've got a 7th grader and a 2nd grader and I routinely cry at the thought that we only have 5 more years with the older one. Makes me so sad to think about it, I have loved being their parent and having a full house. Life is transitions though, right? You need to let her go and be enthusiastic about it, but you know that, and you'll get through it. Peace.

You have ten more years. Do you think you will be crying for all that time? Live your life in the present. Enjoy it. Talk to someone professional if you have to.

pp - here. I'm not saying I sob, I just get sentimental sometimes when I think about it. I don't cry about the younger one - I figure I have 5 more years to get emotional about that, plus I'm just a cryer.

[Anonymous]

I cried when my kid was 6 DAYS old thinking that one day he was going to grow up and leave me. I think you are normal, OP.

I will cry like a baby when he goes to college one day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have an 8 yr old and dread that he'll be in 3rd grade next year! We're very close and spend a lot of time together, and I dread the day he leaves our home. He's our only, too. When he was 4, while taking his bath, he asked me about how school and grades worked, so I explained to him that after K, you go to 1st grade, then to second, fast forward to college. His little lip started trembling, then fill blown crying, over how he never wanted to leave home, never leave me. I will never forget how I felt as I sat on the toilet, talking to him about him growing up. I just love him soooo so much!

Mine does this too. Just turned six. Says he wants to live with us forever and we are the best parents ever. I know that I probably have about 4-5 good years left before he starts to turn into a mutant who won't speak to me and totally changes his mind.

[Anonymous]

I love my kid and he loves me, but we are both ready for him to go to college.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I love my kid and he loves me, but we are both ready for him to go to college.

+1000

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks for your responses. I'm really feeling alone because most of my friends have younger kids, and the ones who've gone through this are sooo far beyond it.

I didn't expect to be so overwhelmed by this change. I've been so caught up in the college search, but it's over now, and, OMG, DD will be leaving home in a few months!!

I'm excited that she's excited about college, and her summer job, and all the fun things she's going to be doing and learning, but I feel so sad that I won't be able to be there to experience them with her, as I have for her entire life!

Maybe I'll get all my crying out now so I don't embarrass DD during her graduation!

Our house will be so empty without her, and that's what I'm really dreading. I'm tearing up reading through the responses and writing mine!

[Anonymous]

I will cry like a little baby. I know I will. My DD is going into high school next year and it is flying by way too fast.

Hugs to you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It helps to choose something fun to look forward to -- a hobby that you didn't previously have time to pursue, etc. I am looking forward to going camping with hubby once the kids are out of the house. Right now our weekends are too busy to do that and I love camping. I have also begun running 5K's on weekends (I'm fat and run slowly!). It's nice to have planned activities to look forward to, because once you no longer have the kids activities, you will be a bit at sea with all the free time.

I have truly enjoyed camping with the kids but once they are out of the house....nah, I'm looking forward to 5 star hotel, room service, pampering at a fine grown up hotel. All inclusive resorts. Cruises.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for your responses. I'm really feeling alone because most of my friends have younger kids, and the ones who've gone through this are sooo far beyond it.

I didn't expect to be so overwhelmed by this change. I've been so caught up in the college search, but it's over now, and, OMG, DD will be leaving home in a few months!!

I'm excited that she's excited about college, and her summer job, and all the fun things she's going to be doing and learning, but I feel so sad that I won't be able to be there to experience them with her, as I have for her entire life!

Maybe I'll get all my crying out now so I don't embarrass DD during her graduation!

Our house will be so empty without her, and that's what I'm really dreading. I'm tearing up reading through the responses and writing mine!

We have a few more years but then it'll be us too. To some degree we've been seeing the milestones and "letting go" all along - their first day of daycare or preschool, first day of Kindergarten, first drop off party, first sleep over, going through years of Cub Scouts together and watching them cross over to Boy Scouts, going from elementary school to middle school and then on into to HS....

It all takes forever when you're doing it but next thing you know - in a blink of an eye they are young adults with big plans and even bigger dreams up there on that stage getting their HS diplomas. ((hugs)) Op.