To tell you all to appreciate half term with your kids, as long as they still need you and want you for their half term activities.

[QuintessentialOldDear]

My sons are now 7 and 11 (soon 8)

They both wanted skateboarding camp for half term.

Granted we went away for some of the bank holiday weekend and did a couple of good hikes and "quality time".

All I am required to do now is drive them to and from camp, and make lunch packs.

Great. I can continue to work. I dont have to take time off. Fantastic.

But, no more trips to the park and playground where I get to enjoy a latte watching them play. No more looking at birds together in the Wetland Center, or marvel together at the beauties of Flowers in the botanic gardens.

They want their own fun, and it does not involve me.

It happened so quick.

Next I will moan that they have flown the nest.

without bringing the thread down, I feel sad for the opposite reason. I worry that my DD with learning difficulties might be still be wanting farm trips delighting in making animal noises when she's 16.
Ironically my "typically developing" 6 yr old DD (her sister) seemed to be born with a distain for simple, cheap pleasures and has always been bored by parks, farms, zoos unless we're visiting the gift shop.

viva i get what u are saying, my dd is 11 and I just think it's the timing, of oh my god she'll be going to big school, omg that leads to college!

I dream of having another baby, but whilst age is rather against me, being single is the bummer.

My 2 youngest are 8 and 12 and both still want to do things with me

My DS is only 2.5 and doesn't yet get a choice, but I feel sad that his dependence on us and desire to be close to us and play with us could be over before we know it

Well i have returned from our trip. We went to the dentist, went and had breakfast at a cafe where we had a conversation.

Went to the football club to buy tickets for Sunday, and had an ice cream on the way home.

DS2 now on PS3 and DS1 now on his laptop but we had a nice morning.

Mary I'm convinced that much of my optimism/positivity comes from being a naturally forward looking person.

I have an endless list of things I want to do/try/read/see/hear/think about...sometimes I panic that I'll run out of time.

I see the past as pleasant, but, well, past...no nostalgia for it. Lovely memories but no desire to do it again.

But the future. I can only see new possibilities there.

I'm trying to remember what I liked doing before having the kids. Mainly it was just hanging out with friends. But at almost 50, friends are either working full time in high powered jobs or have moved away. Its hard to remember what you enjoyed doing when you haven't had the money or the time to do it in the last 15 years!! I've never been one for hobbies, wish I was.
What on earth do you do when the kids leave home if your life has revolved around them for so long and you don't have an exciting job or social life to fall back on?

No I'm
Actually enjoying that older and doing things so much easier now . We still have family days out etc to I peronally can not wait to never have go to a park with dd and ds again

I am looking forward 1-1 times with ds2 he loves museums etc

I think it's just the nature of what you do changes with them

There must be something in the air.
Mine are six and four, DS is the six-year-old. He was at a playscheme yesterday, and DD was in nursery (I'm self-employed and work from home). Took the dog out for a walk and was suddenly struck by the image of DS as an old man, dozing in his chair and remembering his childhood, and remembering long-gone me. I wondered how he would actually remember me, and whether he'd have good memories or not.
As it happens, the grandparents have cancelled his trip to them this week (as usual), so I'm going to make the most of this extra couple of days with him.
My big boy....an old man....it will happen, though.

I'd love to have that 'never go back' mentality, but am always absolutely overcome with nostalgia at every stage!

Mind you, I was musing the other day that I'd like just a day of Old Times with a toddler and a 5 year old, before I realised that I actually really wouldn't at all, and how tiring it all used to be and how much easier life is now!

DD will be gone in September, DS same time next year.....
I am dreading it but looking forward to having freedom from kid maintenance, DH is already planning holidays a deux
Where did the last 18 years go (sob)?

Poshcat

Ds3 has sn and the innocence of a pre Schooler so I can understand how you feel

Am aware once dd goes high school things change again but been though with ds1 and ds2 . In fact ds2 has not opted for 6th form New York trip . Instead he said much rather go weekend to Russia with me

What on earth do you do when the kids leave home if your life has revolved around them for so long and you don't have an exciting job or social life to fall back on?

I shall buy cats and stop washing. And drink gin.

NKf, that sounds like a total plan.

In reality I know when dd is at uni I will have to up my hours at work to fulltime as well as doing extras to pay for her to get through uni. I fear there'll be no time for gin or cats.

There's always time for gin.

My DD (8) does an extra-curricular art class once a week. We recently received next year's timetable and had to decide by the beginning of this week which class(es) she wanted to enrol in for next academic year if she wanted the priority enrolment that is given to existing pupils.

There is a new class on Wednesday mornings (which will still be free for DC at some Parisian private schools) at the Louvre for adults and children aged 8+ to do sculpture together. We leaped at the chance. I am fully aware that this opportunity won't arise again, for many reasons.

Mine are nearly 17 and 14.
They still like going shopping with mum, or for a coffee(because they get something out of it!) but I love their independence and organisation....I have been away for 4 days on my own (spa break bliss) and dh has said they were out and about with their friends.

I love having their friends round ..it means I'm not too embarrassing.

I did struggle with the endless park/walks/playgroup bit...much prefer teenagers.

I thought the park phase was heaven. I have memories of sitting on a bench in the sun watching DD run towards me and leap into my arms and it was like being in a film of happiness...

Bonsoir the park phase. They would be happy to go for a play ion the playground and a picnic. Followed by an ice cream. Cheap and they loved it.

ah, you see, I hate the park.

Park? I remember when that was a day out. I have very fond memories of paddling pools in the back garden.

I do appreciate that it won't be long till I am in op's position and will long for this age.
I so wish I could enjoy it more.
Took ds's swimming today - slides etc, best place EVER. Followed by burger king. They thought it was the best thing ever.

I remember when a trip to the cinema was really exciting and a novelty for them.

I have no hobbies I want to take up. I have been to every country and city I ever wanted to go to.
I have no idea what dh and I will do when the ds's leave home.
But I can't wait. I assume we will go on cruises. Endless holidays. Drink cocktails. Eat lobster and steak. And get fat.
Might have to up the exercise.....

Ds is 6 and dd is 2.8 and we are going away for a week at the weekend - I will make sure I enjoy it.

I've noticed lately that ds doesn't dress up as much and isn't playing as much as he used to. I try not to let it make me sad because I know I'm very privileged to see them growing up.

Dd starts nursery in January and will be at school in a couple of years - I just can't imagine it!