for feeling melancholy at DD1 turning 18 next year...

[Fran57]

Not sure 'melancholy' is the right word, but... he is a fine young man, and I am very proud of him (doing Maths, Physics, Chemistry 'A' levels), but more and more I find myself looking at little ones when I'm out and about, and wishing so much I could go back there...
Also have DS2 and DD, so very lucky with my lovely family, but -these pangs are so unexpected... not sure what to make of them. I suppose it's the prospect of DS1 leaving the nest next year, swiftly followed by the other two - not much time between them.

Sorry... just realised topic title should read 'DS1' and not 'DD1'...

My ds1 will be 18 in Dec - ds2 is 16 in July. So I empathise!

Find an obsessive outside interest and throw yourself into it - that's what I've done!

Thanks fortyplus - working full time, doing an OU course, DH working away, DS1 17 ( A levels), DS2 15 (GCSEs), DD 12 (first year girl's grammar school)... maybe I am just harking back to 'simpler' times (although they didn't feel simple at the time - far from it!)... what's your obsessive outside interest?

I think that's what grandchildren are for!

Poor you. DD2 is only nine weeks old and I'm already dreading the time they do what I did to my parents and fuck off round the world for 15 years.

Fran57 - I paddle... kayak/canoe/white water raft/racing raft/dragon boat. In fact I've just been selected for GB senior mixed dragon boat team for world championships in Tampa Bay this summer! And tonight I was in my kayak on the new artificial course at Lee Valley where the Olympic slalom will be held. I'd never paddled until 2 years ago!

When my eldest DD left home it took a while for me to realise how much i missed her. I was overeating and not sleeping although i had two other DD's at home. I have always enjoyed learning new things so enrolled in a couple of classes. It is like a bereavement, you have to build yourself a different lifestyle, if your present one doesn't fit in with your new role.

I met a new partner and we camp and fish also i put more energy into my dog. I have changed career. I am now looking forward to not having to plan holidays around the school timetable, and up my working hours (i love my new job), my DD's are teenagers. I would love to become a nan and will be very hands on one, if allowed and wanted. None of my DD's say that they want children, though.