it will just my husband and I

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is why I started talking up GMU since my kids were 3.

My kids had a blast going away to school - worked hard but also so much fun, great college experience.

Try not to make it about you.

I specifically didn’t go to GMU to get away from my (wonderful) parents. It would have been too close for comfort even living on campus. Also, at that time it was still known as a commuter school. I went to VT instead. Go Hokies! OP’s son is surely having a blast there.

But don’t discount that your kids might move home after college.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well my DS will be graduating from high school tomorrow at night 7PM. In the fall he will be attending JMU. My other DS will be a junior in Virginia Tech. We are pretty much going to be by ourselves from AUG-December. (they will come home for Thanksgiving Break.) How is life when kids are not home? Last time this happen we were living in a small one bed apartment in 2003.


They did attend camps, but the longest camp was a week or two..

You and DH can plan vacations together without worrying about school schedules. You can travel during the offseason

[Anonymous]

I hope it's not as bad for you as you think, OP! We've loved being empty nesters even though we love and miss our kids. I'm a woman and def love the freedom of more and better sex...not sure why others here seem to think that's odd. We also like the quiet and the time to ourselves.

We're getting none of those things this Summer since they're home but it's wonderful to have them home.

[Anonymous]

Divorce for us! I’m trying to decide where to move/which state to transfer to where my employer has an office.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It gives you more time to focus on divorce too.

This is my thinking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Lots and lots of sex

Don’t forget about birth control 😆 if applicable!

[Anonymous]

We just decided that is was time for us to enjoy our lives. We love our kids and love being parents but it has allowed us to relive our prekid years and it has been fun. We are far more spontaneous about doing anything or going anywhere. Our love life has definitely improved as we no longer have to be locked and muffled in our room.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm dreading it. I have one more year.

Not because I don't love my DH but I will profoundly miss my child and her busy schedule. We have a nice school community and I just won't see those people on the regular, anymore. I love the 3 of us and our family unit and it will not longer be the same. I know that is good, right, kid is doing what she's supposed to do, etc. etc. But, the grief I feel over the end of childhood, end of us as unity is huge.

We also have one son and we are a great team, plus our pup. I feel the same way as you do, especially because we have taught him all he needs to spread his wings and fly broad and high. Perhaps what gives me a bit of sadness is that there is a low chance that we will have him close when he is an adult. We love the young man he is and would love to see his evolution as a husband, dad, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Divorce for us! I’m trying to decide where to move/which state to transfer to where my employer has an office.

Do your kids know this is coming?

Kind of sad to link that with them starting college.

And what have they learned about relationships growing up with two parents who were counting the days to leave each other. Ouch!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well my DS will be graduating from high school tomorrow at night 7PM. In the fall he will be attending JMU. My other DS will be a junior in Virginia Tech. We are pretty much going to be by ourselves from AUG-December. (they will come home for Thanksgiving Break.) How is life when kids are not home? Last time this happen we were living in a small one bed apartment in 2003.


They did attend camps, but the longest camp was a week or two..

It’s only been about six weeks but we’re enjoying the empty nest so far. We’ve started eating dinner really late like 9 pm and using the daylight to do other things. Closing on a condo next month.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DW and I are blessed that all of our three kids decided to attend college locally. Our 22 years old DS just recently graduated from GMU, CS major, and has a good paying job but he will live at home for the next three years to save 100% of his earnings before moving out. Our 21 years old daughter will probably go to medical school after graduating from GMU (took her MCAT and scored 523) so we still have her for the next 14 months. Our 18 years old DS just finished his freshman year at GMU so he will be with us for another three years before heading off to dental school. I can't imagine not having them around but that day will come. In the meantime, DW and I just got two new puppies to keep ourselves busy. YMMV.

Score brag👎

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Divorce for us! I’m trying to decide where to move/which state to transfer to where my employer has an office.

Please be kidding. Or at least stay close to wherever your STBX is so your kids can see both of you easily on breaks

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I imagine it gets super fun when they’re both drinking age and you can take them out for apps and drinks when they’re home and connect with them as adults!

With rampent alcoholism in both our families we will skip this activity. Better for our bodies to do something healthy.

[Anonymous]

This thread is so sad. Our kids are both in HS at this point and we do things without them all the time. They're old enough to be home alone. Literally we go out together or with friends every single weekend. We don't do overnight stays without them of course but it sounds like people went from helicopter parenting teens that were close to being adults to having them off at college.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This thread is so sad. Our kids are both in HS at this point and we do things without them all the time. They're old enough to be home alone. Literally we go out together or with friends every single weekend. We don't do overnight stays without them of course but it sounds like people went from helicopter parenting teens that were close to being adults to having them off at college.

Just curious why "of course"? We have done plenty of overnight stays without our 15 and 17-year-old kids.