Anonymous
06/04/2015 11:06
Subject: Re:Already teary about 8thG promotion; how big a puddle in 4 years?
Anonymous wrote:Our oldest is about to start med school, middle kid is in college and youngest will graduate from high school this Friday. I'm a sentimental person and will cry over a movie or even a commercial, but I haven't cried at any graduations or college move-in days. Sure, you miss your kids when they move out of the house, but there are plenty of ways to be in touch -- texting, Skype, Facetime, etc., and it's so exciting to see them stepping out into the world and becoming the wonderful people you've been waiting to see for 20 years. It's like watching a butterfly emerge from the cocoon or a baby bird fly. What a privilege and joy to witness this.
Completely agree. I'm also a sentimental person, but I've never felt sad when the kids have graduated. I feel happy and excited for them that they're making the next move in their lives. Sure, it's a little bittersweet, but feels so good to know you've done your job well (of course, parenting is never over, but YKWIM) and helped to launch your child into the world. It's a great feeling.
Anonymous
06/04/2015 10:17
Subject: Already teary about 8thG promotion; how big a puddle in 4 years?
Anonymous wrote:It's all going so fast! I know I can't stop or go back in time; please tell me how best to deal with the little time we've got left together?
After college my kids moved back in with me because they couldn't find jobs. Now I cry for a different reason.
Anonymous
06/04/2015 09:51
Subject: Already teary about 8thG promotion; how big a puddle in 4 years?
Anonymous wrote:It's all going so fast! I know I can't stop or go back in time; please tell me how best to deal with the little time we've got left together?
"Buy" some memories that will live with you the rest of your life.
Go on some memorable trips. Do some shared experiences.
I once splurged on a concert for a big name act, 500 for 2 tickets, thought it was over the top but I wanted to see them also. Every other day I think back to that time, how happy we were. The memories are for a lifetime. It was one of the better $500 I have ever spent.
And the amount of money is not the point. The main point is to do different things now rather than put them off, things that you may think do not make sense, some of those will provide a lifetime of joy.
Anonymous
06/01/2015 13:08
Subject: Re:Already teary about 8thG promotion; how big a puddle in 4 years?
Our oldest is about to start med school, middle kid is in college and youngest will graduate from high school this Friday. I'm a sentimental person and will cry over a movie or even a commercial, but I haven't cried at any graduations or college move-in days. Sure, you miss your kids when they move out of the house, but there are plenty of ways to be in touch -- texting, Skype, Facetime, etc., and it's so exciting to see them stepping out into the world and becoming the wonderful people you've been waiting to see for 20 years. It's like watching a butterfly emerge from the cocoon or a baby bird fly. What a privilege and joy to witness this.
Anonymous
06/01/2015 06:09
Subject: Already teary about 8thG promotion; how big a puddle in 4 years?
Anonymous wrote:How about a complete turn around? I commented to another mother about how it was a sad day with our kids graduating (from high school). She said, "I don't know about you but I'm being happy!" And she was. I copied her and celebrated. I'm going to do this all summer and on the way to college.
+1
Yes, it's bittersweet when a child moves on, especially away to college. But I was so happy for my DC to have found just the right place to go to school, and to hear how happy DC was while there. It was a much happier transition than I think some of you are anticipating it to be!
Anonymous
05/31/2015 23:47
Subject: Already teary about 8thG promotion; how big a puddle in 4 years?
FWIW, for this Dad DC's high school graduation of my oldest last year was joyous without tears having been very involved in DC's education all the way through. Senior year is so demanding on parents as well as children, it was a relief for us all to have it over. Of course, the real problem is what comes next. Each time DC left home freshman year to go back to college I got seriously choked up!
Anonymous
05/31/2015 13:01
Subject: Already teary about 8thG promotion; how big a puddle in 4 years?
How about a complete turn around? I commented to another mother about how it was a sad day with our kids graduating (from high school). She said, "I don't know about you but I'm being happy!" And she was. I copied her and celebrated. I'm going to do this all summer and on the way to college.
Anonymous
05/28/2015 07:44
Subject: Already teary about 8thG promotion; how big a puddle in 4 years?
Anonymous wrote:I hear you. I have one in 7th and other in 5th. I get teary thinking about 5th grade graduation. When day comes, I will be pathetic. Off to college, just lock me away.....
I seriously think the first year of having no kids in the house, once my youngest graduates, will be the worst year of my life. I know I'll get over it and adjust but going to having NONE of your kids in the house with you daily has to be a brutal adjustment.
Anonymous
05/27/2015 20:34
Subject: Already teary about 8thG promotion; how big a puddle in 4 years?
I hear you. I have one in 7th and other in 5th. I get teary thinking about 5th grade graduation. When day comes, I will be pathetic. Off to college, just lock me away.....
Anonymous
05/27/2015 09:02
Subject: Re:Already teary about 8thG promotion; how big a puddle in 4 years?
It gets worse. I thought my DD was perfect in 8th grade graduation. HS just flew especially after getting drivers license. proud but weepy now.
Anonymous
05/27/2015 07:27
Subject: Already teary about 8thG promotion; how big a puddle in 4 years?
The paradox of parenthood: we love watching them grow up while desperately wishing they would stop doing that. We devote our lives to getting them to the point of moving out on their own and going their own way when really we just want them to stay forever. It's hard. I get teary eyed whenever someone talks or posts about their child graduating high school. I remember my mom crying and not getting it because it was so expected that it didn't seem like a huge accomplishment. I get it now. It wasn't just pride; it was grief over what was ending.
Anonymous
05/26/2015 12:58
Subject: Re:Already teary about 8thG promotion; how big a puddle in 4 years?
My oldest is a rising freshman and I had a mini meltdown about this. Its funny, I cannot wait for my children to grow up and prosper and enjoy life, but I also wish I had tied a brick on their heads so they never grew up. Might still try that with my 4 year old 
Where did my babies go?
Where did my babies go?
Anonymous
05/26/2015 12:56
Subject: Re:Already teary about 8thG promotion; how big a puddle in 4 years?
Thanks, PP. I think I recognize you from the other thread
It's difficult to fathom even now, but I realized recently that we will know our kids as adults for (hopefully) a whole lot longer than they are as children. The thin line that I feel I am always walking is the one between appreciating and, most important, respecting my young teen for who she is and feeling duty-bound to "correct" her for who she is not (yet)--that is, to set limits, model/shape behavior, etc. I fear I am a bit overbearing and desperately want to change that paradigm.
It's difficult to fathom even now, but I realized recently that we will know our kids as adults for (hopefully) a whole lot longer than they are as children. The thin line that I feel I am always walking is the one between appreciating and, most important, respecting my young teen for who she is and feeling duty-bound to "correct" her for who she is not (yet)--that is, to set limits, model/shape behavior, etc. I fear I am a bit overbearing and desperately want to change that paradigm.
Anonymous
05/26/2015 12:14
Subject: Already teary about 8thG promotion; how big a puddle in 4 years?
My oldest just graduated from college three weeks ago and started a job in the city where the school is - a few hours way. I am still numb.
With all of our kids (4 total, one left at home), we made it a point to talk as much as possible. We always had screen free time - but in HS we made it a point to have a meal with them everyday whenever possible. We would make time on weekends for time with them - even if it was just walking the dog with them.
I guess my point is that these 4-8 years are going to fly by. Make time and spend time.
With all of our kids (4 total, one left at home), we made it a point to talk as much as possible. We always had screen free time - but in HS we made it a point to have a meal with them everyday whenever possible. We would make time on weekends for time with them - even if it was just walking the dog with them.
I guess my point is that these 4-8 years are going to fly by. Make time and spend time.
Anonymous
05/26/2015 11:50
Subject: Already teary about 8thG promotion; how big a puddle in 4 years?
It's all going so fast! I know I can't stop or go back in time; please tell me how best to deal with the little time we've got left together?