OP, I am surrounded by people like you but I am very sad about the kids leaving the nest, especially the youngest. I feel like a loser feeling sad when everyone else is so excited.

I'm with you, OP. BUT.....

I have a feeling I will be emotional when we drop him off in a few months, and I still have a younger at home.

I'm pretty sure I'll be more emotional when the younger one leaves, though.

Mentally, though, I can't wait to be independent again and travel the way I used to, sans kids.

Yea, you!

After my parents dropped me off at college, I got a weird call in the evening from my dad. He asked me to talk to my mom. After they got home, she went into my empty room and burst into tears and Dad couldn't comfort her. After I got on the phone, she pulled it together. And she was always my biggest supporter in anything I wanted to do even if it took me further and further from them.

I thought it was a little weird, until I had my kids. I assume other families are different, maybe.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Naw, I am with you. Never understood the puddles of tears every time the children reach a milestone. They are supposed to this. It’s a celebration, not some bittersweet thing.

But I am also not some overly sentimental person in general. So…

I mean, I will miss them. But they’ve been basically independent for three years already and these are just the next steps to full independence. Meanwhile, I am rediscovering myself and my spouse and we are embracing the empty nest life with gusto.

+1
Ultimate goal is to raise your kids so they become functioning adults. Heading to college is a part of that process. While I miss them, I'm thrilled for the next stage of their life. I don't want a 25yo living in my basement with no guidance in life.

Unfortunately, that and a kid going away to college are not mutually exclusive.

Anonymous wrote:Naw, I am with you. Never understood the puddles of tears every time the children reach a milestone. They are supposed to this. It’s a celebration, not some bittersweet thing.

But I am also not some overly sentimental person in general. So…

I mean, I will miss them. But they’ve been basically independent for three years already and these are just the next steps to full independence. Meanwhile, I am rediscovering myself and my spouse and we are embracing the empty nest life with gusto.

+1
Ultimate goal is to raise your kids so they become functioning adults. Heading to college is a part of that process. While I miss them, I'm thrilled for the next stage of their life. I don't want a 25yo living in my basement with no guidance in life.

No way! I can’t WAIT for my kids to get out of my house! I’ll miss them, but I’m excited for them, to see what they do next. And I’m excited to so the things I want to do, whenever I want. It’s going to be glorious!

Anonymous wrote:I'm just not. Never was. I see my friends almost falling apart because their kid is leaving - teary, depressed.
I was just so excited for them and excited for me. But, I think I'm in the minority.
WBU?

You are strong and sensible.

I’m feeling really sad but it’s unexpected. Thought I was fine…but not really. Oh well, time stands still for none of us.

Anonymous wrote:Just hope they don’t boomerang

Mine came to live at home at the start of Covid. It was fine with us, and getting to know him as an adult was glorious.

I am rediscovering myself and my spouse and we are embracing the empty nest life with gusto.

this! Mine launched and never came back.

Just hope they don’t boomerang

Naw, I am with you. Never understood the puddles of tears every time the children reach a milestone. They are supposed to this. It’s a celebration, not some bittersweet thing.

But I am also not some overly sentimental person in general. So…

I mean, I will miss them. But they’ve been basically independent for three years already and these are just the next steps to full independence. Meanwhile, I am rediscovering myself and my spouse and we are embracing the empty nest life with gusto.

Don’t worry, they come back (or at least mine did) every Christmas + winter (was 6 weeks) & Thanksgiving…they make you want to pull your hair out, then they finally go back and you suddenly miss them again.

Nope, take your stuff and move on to the next stage of your life. I'm so excited to send you care packages once a month, bye bye!

I'm just not. Never was. I see my friends almost falling apart because their kid is leaving - teary, depressed.
I was just so excited for them and excited for me. But, I think I'm in the minority.
WBU?