End of an era - youngest child moved out today

[Timeforatincture]

DD2 (DC3) graduated in the summer and moved back in with us to start with - but today I drove her and all her gear to the flat she's moving into with her boyfriend.

To start with I guess it will feel like when she was at uni - but this time she's not coming back other than as a visitor. Very odd.

If you've got to this point in your parenting journey, how was it for you?

I have 5 DC. Right now, for a few more months I have two at home. Going to university didn't bother me - this was still home - but when she graduated and went to work it was a real jolt. Three years ago my oldest son got married, a year later it was the turn of his younger brother. This year I have two daughters getting married and one heading to uni and my husband and I will be home on our for the first time in over 30 years.

At the moment life is so busy with organising weddings and supporting the youngest with her studies I'm not really thinking about it but once she has left and the weddings have been and gone it is going to hit me. I love spending time with them all - collectively and individually - but I feel a need for a new dog to help me fill my time!

A dog eh? Could be a plan.

The cats might complain though.