Anonymous wrote:Mine have no home to come back to, OP. I raised them to fly far and free, as I have always done. Some Mamas have to raise cowboys. It is no sad thing. It is the American Way.

What?

Mine have no home to come back to, OP. I raised them to fly far and free, as I have always done. Some Mamas have to raise cowboys. It is no sad thing. It is the American Way.

Anything you want. Travel, start a new hobby, sleep, shop, see friends, garden, etc. etc. The world is yours again.

They are home frequently enough that you wonder why room and board costs so much money! Fall break, Thanksgiving break, Christmas break, Spring break and then of course the summer break, which starts in early Ma6.

DH and I have already discussed it. We're getting another dog, we're going to travel more, and we're going to downsize.

OP do you only have one kid? That probably makes it harder. We had four, and it got easier with each one who left -- plus, of course, by the time the last one left the older ones were coming back.

Yes, you get used to it. It's life. You'll be fine.

Anonymous wrote:I did not find it sad or hard to leave home for college. My parents were also thrilled. I think they went to Italy for 6 wks.

+100

I was the youngest and dying to go away to college. My parents finally got to travel together with all the kids out of the house.

I did not find it sad or hard to leave home for college. My parents were also thrilled. I think they went to Italy for 6 wks.

New routines with the kids - family texts, sending photos, send packages, plan weekend trips and times when they are home.

New routines with spouse - new shows, travel, see friends, new hobbies, go to the gym, etc

and work.....

Anonymous wrote:MY DD will be graduating high school and will be going to VCU, what do you do when the kids are gone? They will be coming home for breaks, but won't be home for long... Do you get used to it?

You have to get used to it. No choice there.

After the kids are gone, you'll be forced to "reconnect" with your partner too. LOL.

Relationship starts to change, they are still very young and need support, and guidance, and are also beginning to become an adult.

As for not home very long, a week at Thanksgiving, a month at Christmas, a week at Spring Break, and 4 months over the summer is still a lot of at home time (ours just finished freshman year).

We did a 2 week trip during Christmas, but nothing over Thanksgiving and Spring break, because he wanted to spend time with friends from HS. This year, we are doing a 5 day trip at Thanksgiving (can still see friends for one day before we leave and one day when he gets back), and again 2 weeks at Christmas. Pretty sure Spring Break he'll do a trip with friends. In 3 years, when he graduates, and we assume he gets a job, it may not be so easy to travel for him and so we are trying to do a bunch now.

You have to find a way to enjoy seeing them grow into independent adults. See them making choices about their lives, screw somethings up, recover...and they still need mom and dad at times too.

It’s hard, but you settle into a new normal. All of mine are grown. My youngest is still in college, but far from home. I try to enjoy every minute when they are home. I remember how happy I am to have raised five smart, successful, independent young adults. But, I still feel sad every time they go back.

I think it is really sad and hard at first just like it is for them. It's a major change and major change brings all kinds of emotions. I think it's best to accept you will be sad, there will be good days and bad days and eventually you will feel better but it is ok to not feel better at first.

MY DD will be graduating high school and will be going to VCU, what do you do when the kids are gone? They will be coming home for breaks, but won't be home for long... Do you get used to it?