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[quote=Anonymous]OP, I'm a mom in my 30s with young kids but clicked on this thread out of interest.  I'm always surprised at how quickly people jump on "go to therapy!"  I think this atttitude is why so many people take anti-depressants when they don't really need to (see recent articles about this), because they have the attitude that any sadness or any depressed feelings are wrong and need to be suppressed.  They also can't imagine getting through it on their own, through self-reflection, or reading, or talking with friends.  So they run to pay a stranger and fill a prescription.

It is normal and natural to have feelings of sadness or depression that come and go, as long as you are not overwhelmed all the time with this.  I haven't gone through what you are going through, but it seems completely natural that you would be struggling with this, and I do not think you need to pay someone to tell you this.  How could you NOT be sad and even devestated to have your children out of your home, and this stage of your life over?  It would be messed up if you WEREN'T feeling this way.  You're going through what most parents go through (read Michael Gerson's recent oped in the washington post for reassurance on this, about his kid going off to college).  Also, it is probably a bit harder for you as a SAHM, since you have devoted all of your time to your children.  There's more of a gap to fill now.

I think you need to accept that this is a major change, and that there will be feelings of sadness, but a new stage is opening up, and there will be positive change with it.  Maybe a therapist could help you look at it positively.  But I think this is the kind of change that you get through by talking to other moms and dads, maybe keeping a journal, but also not dwelling on it.  Stop looking at all your pictures, you're only making yourself sad.  Focus on the future and what comes next for you.  Good luck.  [/quote]

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