Yes, she is.

Anonymous wrote:I've been a single Mom the last six years. My baby will be leaving for college soon. I'm sad she is leaving and I will be alone. It is just too painful to contemplate. I will only really have one month with her this summer. She is going to spend a month with her Dad. Then she will fly away.

Is she your only child? I have an only and I'll be where you are next year.

Anonymous wrote:Just don't make her feel guilty. Smile and let her go.

And find a hobby. You need some new activities! What have you been putting off since you needed to be home with your DD nightly? Go to plays, concerts, weeknight events. Have a drink after work with a friend. Find a volunteer organization you feel passionate about and start signing up to help out.

I was the last kid to leave home. My mom was single. She really started living her own life after I went to college (friends, dating, lots of hobbies). I remember being annoyed that when I came home things weren't always All About Me. Ha. It was good for me that she moved on and did things for herself. It also made me feel less guilty about spending less time with her in my 20s. She was busy! It was a good thing all around.

OP I hear you. DD is missing graduation and leaving in 2 weeks to pursue her dream. Things have been so busy I know I haven't begun to process any of it, not one bit. It will be a long summer...

OP, I'm sure it'll be hard, but congrats on raising her well enough that she can leave the nest and pursue her dreams!

Anonymous wrote:How do I handle the feelings? Jeez, you are all like men. Just trying to solve the problem.

Nothing wrong with solving the problem. You sound like you want to wallow. Whatever.

Time to rediscover yourself and seize the opportunity to be bold and try new things.

Anonymous wrote:How do I handle the feelings? Jeez, you are all like men. Just trying to solve the problem.

THis was not clear from your OP.

Find a few other mothers and invite them out for wine and whine in August, then monthly. This is one of life's passages and most parents go through it at some point. Don't deny you feelings, allow them to surface and move through to the other side. Having a new activity will help.

Just don't make her feel guilty. Smile and let her go.

Many women face this problem whether they are single or not. If your life has been entirely focused on your daughter you need to get real busy. I faced a similar situation about 6 years ago and in addition to my job I joined some clubs/orgs prior to my youngest leaving. When she left I missed her but I stayed incredibly busy. Through one of the organizations I met a very nice man and we've been great companions for the last few years. Neither of us is interested in marriage for many reasons but he is a wonderful FWB. I already has a dog!

How do I handle the feelings? Jeez, you are all like men. Just trying to solve the problem.

What have you wanted to do but couldn't because of time constraints?

How about getting some pets in the house

I have two cats.

Have you considered getting a dog?

I've been a single Mom the last six years. My baby will be leaving for college soon. I'm sad she is leaving and I will be alone. It is just too painful to contemplate. I will only really have one month with her this summer. She is going to spend a month with her Dad. Then she will fly away.