Is anyone glad their kids are gone?

[Anonymous]

I am not yet 50, but I just realized recently that my daughter will only be living here full time for another few years. Then college, maybe grad school, etc. I am in a cold panic about it. My mother on the other hand could not wait for me to be out of the house. Probably didn't want me home during college breaks. There are all sorts of posts about how people are missing their kids once they leave home. And now I am wondering is anyone glad to see them gone? Either because they are thrilled their kids are so independent or because they just did not end up having the best relationship with their kids?

[Anonymous]

Count me as one of the broken-hearted. Sure, I'm proud that DS is making his way as a freshman in college, but I haven't gotten over his absence yet. It's all good, though. We raise them so they can leave us successfully, right?

[Anonymous]

LOL, I just turned 50 and my kids are still home. They are 16 and 14.

[Anonymous]

I am 44. I have a college senior and a college freshman. Three teens still at home.

I still miss my college kids every single day. I'm proud of them. I know that they are doing exactly what they are supposed to be doing. But I miss them like crazy.

So...am I glad they are gone? I'm glad they aren't sitting in my basement playing XBox all day. But I wish they weren't so far away.

[Anonymous]

No, I'm not happy about it. I wouldn't have had a kid if I didn't think I would enjoy them.

[Anonymous]

Miss my kid but I love not having to discuss with her about what time she needs to be home at night!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Miss my kid but I love not having to discuss with her about what time she needs to be home at night!

ITA. And, trying to impose some sort of curfew during college breaks is rather aggravating. I miss my DD, glad she's enjoying her adulthood, miss her while away at college, and happy to see her during breaks. Now that she's aware that "legally" she's an adult, the relationship has changed.

[Anonymous]

I'm 44 with a 3-year-old and another one on the way. I'm hoping I'll last long enough that they leave home before I do.

[Anonymous]

I have a college freshman and while we do miss her it is also the right thing for her to be away. I am actually surprised how normal it seems that she is away. We still have one at home though so we are not empty nesters yet. Once that happens it probably will seem strange.

[Anonymous]

I'm right there with you, 23:19!

[Anonymous]

I have a child in high school, and it struck me how few years my child will be at home. I never thought this day would come, yet here we are facing a semi-empty nest in such a short time! I cry whenever I think about it. I can't imagine being happy my kids have gone to college. I don't know how I will cope, but I have a few more years, and I'm going to make the most of them!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a child in high school, and it struck me how few years my child will be at home. I never thought this day would come, yet here we are facing a semi-empty nest in such a short time! I cry whenever I think about it. I can't imagine being happy my kids have gone to college. I don't know how I will cope, but I have a few more years, and I'm going to make the most of them!!

I am with you on this one. I try to make the most of it, too.

[Anonymous]

Somehow, I don't think that all of these responses are helping OP....

[Anonymous]

Yeah, baby!

[Anonymous]

The best part - there are no surprises.
The worst part - there are no surprises.