Anonymous wrote:The best part - there are no surprises.
The worst part - there are no surprises.

Hah!

Anonymous wrote:I am 55 - have three children and the youngest one just left for college. I miss them all but the older two (26 and 23) are successful adults giving back to society and working in fields they have a passion for, so I am happy. The youngest is a hoot, and while I will miss his humor, my husband and I are ready for an empty nest. I love my husband and I would rather spend time with him than with anyone in the world! We feel free and are looking forward to some privacy and freedom!

You sound like me ten years ago when my youngest of three went off to college. Mine are all very successful, happily married, two have two babies each and my youngest is expecting. I adore my wife and we have loved being empty nesters for over ten years. I retired a few years ago and we have traveled extensively, spend winters where its warm and during the summer live within 30 miles of all of our kids. You sound like you are on a similar path. Enjoy it and stay healthy. Now that you have more free time, invest in keeping yourself in good shape. (You may already do). Aches and pains become more frequent but staying fit can really help. Last thought - it is sure nice to read a comment like your! Tell your husband he's lucky!

Love them? Yes. Miss them? No. The possibilities are now endless and exciting for me!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Miss my kid but I love not having to discuss with her about what time she needs to be home at night!

ITA. And, trying to impose some sort of curfew during college breaks is rather aggravating. I miss my DD, glad she's enjoying her adulthood, miss her while away at college, and happy to see her during breaks. Now that she's aware that "legally" she's an adult, the relationship has changed.

How? Is she not listening to you anymore?

Anonymous wrote:Hmmmm....

I am a fifty-something who never had kids. Friends and sibs did so I've followed a lot of people through the leaving home cycle.

It's been my observation that there are PLENTY of empty-nesters who - while missing their kids - are happy to have their privacy back, get to know their partners again, and get started with the things-I've-always-wanted-to-do list.

Life is long. Relish the present.

Thank you for your observation. It's nice to hear it from an unbiased party .

Anonymous wrote:LOL, I just turned 50 and my kids are still home. They are 16 and 14.

Same here!

When my first went off to college I was very sad - seeing my only boy leave home. But I got over it once I realized what a great opportunity was on the horizon for him. Within a few years my girls left and while I was sad I knew that it was their time. Once we became empty nesters it has been our time and we have had a blast. My kids are all successful, married, parents and we are loving life. I only wish I didn't have some of the aches and pains of being in my 60's but it beats the alternative.

I am 55 and just dropped my first off at college. His sister is a rising HS sophomore, so three more years for her.

I'm certainly not "glad" that DS is gone. I miss him already and feel a sad ache in my heart, not having him here.

That said, I wouldn't have it any other way (if I could wave a wand and make him return, I wouldn't) because he is in the right place, and because that makes me happy (in the midst of my sadness).

I can see the benefits of children having left: A clean kitchen, less laundry, fewer meals to plan, more freedom to travel and do what I want.

Anonymous wrote:Somehow, I don't think that all of these responses are helping OP....

oh I don't know. I think it's helpful to know that lots of other people go through these feelings too. That OP is in good company - that there is nothing abnormal about her thoughts.

Anonymous wrote:The best part - there are no surprises.
The worst part - there are no surprises.

I love this response.

I'm in the thick of it and life is chaotic and sometimes I think about how nice it will be to just have calm, quiet, and the stability of only my own daily life to think about. And then I think, but damn it will be calm and quiet. How's that going to be??

I'm sure I'll miss the chaos.

Hmmmm....

I am a fifty-something who never had kids. Friends and sibs did so I've followed a lot of people through the leaving home cycle.

It's been my observation that there are PLENTY of empty-nesters who - while missing their kids - are happy to have their privacy back, get to know their partners again, and get started with the things-I've-always-wanted-to-do list.

Life is long. Relish the present.

It depends on the kid. My son, now 21, I could not wait to get out of the house and now I really don't want him coming home in the summer from school. His schedule and partying behavior is nothing but a headache. My daughter, 18, is a doll. Easy to be with, up for anything, laughs, reads, is interested in contributing to a bigger cause - I will miss her but I could not be happier for her.

Thrilled! Glad to see them come and visit. Glad to see them go.

They were not too difficult to raise and we have a good relationship.

They turned out well, so that helps.

Yes, but enjoy seeing them on weekends for Sunday brunch

I am 55 - have three children and the youngest one just left for college. I miss them all but the older two (26 and 23) are successful adults giving back to society and working in fields they have a passion for, so I am happy. The youngest is a hoot, and while I will miss his humor, my husband and I are ready for an empty nest. I love my husband and I would rather spend time with him than with anyone in the world! We feel free and are looking forward to some privacy and freedom!