DS doesn't want me to say our 'good night' things anymore

[Toffeesgirl]

I've said a special way of saying goodnight to him since, well forever, and now he's 15 and very nicely said he doesn't want me to say it anymore as he's not a child!!

I, obviously, didn't let him know I was heartbroken (lighthearted) and said Ok but omg, he's growing up and I'm not ready.

I know it's perfectly healthy and he is growing up and blah, blah, blah but he's my baby boy.

Please tell me I'm not the only one

He's growing up. I remember how upset my mum was when I told her I didn't want her to kiss me at the bus stop on the way to school - I must have been about 13. My sons were the same when they got to a certain age. It doesn't mean they love you any less.

I feel the same. I was holding my 8 year olds son’s hand yesterday and was surprised he still wanted to take it. I told him that one day he won’t want to hold my hand and he looked horrified and said ‘why?!’ I told him it’s normal and that while I will miss his hand, I’ll be happy for him to grow up and become more independent. I gave his hand an extra squeeze because it sad as they grow up, but also as it should be.

My daughter (17) still holds my hand when we go out sometimes. Not often but she still does it.

I know she'll stop one day but until then...

This has made me well up a bit at the thought of my 5 month year old saying that one day! X

I remember when I said to my son once "where has my little boy gone?" and he said "he's inside the big boy" . I still cry with that now and he's in his 30s.

🥺

I have a Build a Bear type Teddy bear with my son's voice recorded inside when he was about 3 saying "I love you, Mummy."

I think they were supposed to have 3000 or something plays but I really restricted myself listening to it.

I pressed it to listen to it earlier this year. And there was nothing. I can remember it so vividly but I'll never hear his 3 yo voice again.

I messaged him to tell him (because it had actually made me well up although I didn't tell him that). He replied straight away to tell me that it had made him well up and he sent me a voice note saying "I love you, Mum," instead.

That little boy really is inside the big boy ❤️

"What sort of disrespectful advise is this? OPs Son has requested his mother stop these special goodnights."
I said not if he gets mad of course.

OMG 😢

I was holding my 8 year olds son’s hand yesterday and was surprised he still wanted to take it. I told him that one day he won’t want to hold my hand and he looked horrified and said ‘why?!’ I told him it’s normal and that while I will miss his hand
My sons are 26 and 23 and I still occasionally hold their hand when we are out for a short time. It always makes me smile. Not all the time obviously, that would be weird.
It's strange that seemingly a few years ago I felt protective of them and I was keeping them sade. Now they are tall powerful men, I feel safe when they hug me or check in with me to make sure I'm OK or see if I need anything.