...to be worried about what I'll do with my life when my DCs grow up?

[gettngbetter]

The DC's take up all my time at the moment. Neither of them are in school yet. I really love being so busy - there's never a moment to be bored. We spend the weekends out in playgrounds & parks and I love it.

I was speaking to a friend whose two children are teenagers now and she said she feels a bit redundant now. Her DC's just need her to give them lifts - and they spend all their time with their friends

So I know it's a long way off - but I'm worried life will seem a bit pointless once they're raised - and ill have too much time on my hands

God at Ed Edd and Eddy, and bloody Suite Life with Zac and Cody, I hated those bloody kids.

I did like sabrina the teenage witch though

dd2 started watching the suite life on deck a few years ago god that was terrible,

You will still be busy. Your kids will always need you for something and you will probably have grandkids at some point. But you need to get yourself out there. My mum became a widow at 55 and before that her life had pretty much revolved around the family. She had to make a new life for herself once he had gone but you have to make yourself busy. She had always enjoyed watching football so continued with that but she also joined the rambling. She also joined the U3A and put on loads of activities and she does theatre/cinema trips, photography, book club and card making. In fact she is never in and has a better social life than me. Maybe the best thing to do is to try to have interests outside the family so that when they do leave the nest you have already got things to fall back on.

Introducing Black Adder, the Young Ones, Monty Python and whatever to ds has been brill. We were on the sofa laughing like drains watching Hot Fuzz recently. Bliss.

We argue about whether South Park is better than Family Guy (it is - by miles). I hasten to add I vet the South Parks he watches, before I get flamed.

I just have this feeling that life will never be as fulfilling as it is right now. So I really appreciate everyday I have with my DC's while they're still young enough to want to spend a lot of time with me.

I'm a bit of a worrier - and sometimes a bit pessimistic.

I think I'd be sad if my children grew up and moved far away and rang me once a month - Although I do want them to become independent.

The thing is the whole parenting process evolves and when they are little you can't imagine life without them 24/7. But they change and so do you I am 19 yrs older than when i had ds and i want things now that will be possible when he is at uni. Tbh all my friends still have 20 somethings at home so they don't go far!

I'm one of five (including step sibs) and we're all in our forties now. My mum is still womanfully fielding our issues on a daily basis. There is no rest for the wicked. You're a parent for life!

That's lovely Zapp.

When I got to 18 my mother told me that, as I was now an adult, she considered her 'mum' duties to be over (and she wasn't joking!).

When my dad had children with his new wife he told me that he didn't consider himself to be my 'dad' anymore, that I'd had my time and now it was time for me to step aside and give his new children a chance!

Your mum sounds amazing

Might have already been suggested, but you could foster young children and give them a better go at life?

I personally am not bothered about my children growing up. It's just another chapter in life.

I think my parents felt a little like this and therefore tried to keep on parenting us way after it was needed (leading to many arguments). However they are grandparents now are are absolutely loving that role! Plus since they both retired they're busier than ever on walking trips, volunteering, weekends away etc.

I plan to (re) learn sheet music and learn to play the violin!

That's how I feel Fakebook.