aibu to feel a bit sad, my babies are all grown up [sad]

[paintinmyhairAgain]

well oldest is 25 the youngest 18 and for in between so not exactly babies but...
this is the first time i have been completely on my own in the house for YEARS -hurrah, i think, but it's the realisation that youngest daughter started full time work today and two of her older brothers started their first jobs a couple of weeks ago after leaving college.
all the dc are now working as is dh and i at a bit of a loss, talk about empty nest.
any sahm felt lost for a time when their dc started school /college /uni ? i can't work because of health problems but it will be a good excuse for some new hobbies

*four in between

Look at it this way.... you did a fantastic job! All your children raised and happy and employed (and employable!)

That’s a wonderful achievement (just read the relationship board)

Take a moment to note the ending in an era and then start planning out the next one.

My parents have pretty much had a fantastic life since my sisters and I left Home. Hobbies, socialising, travel, nights out etc. They really embraced a new era of freedom and financial comfort. It’s wonderful.

My PIL on the other hand were devastated when DH left Home and have never really recovered (and it was 20 years ago). They don’t do anything new , they don’t go anywhere new, they haven’t made any new friends, they have no hobbies.

My parents are a number of years older than my PILs but are so much younger in outlook (and in fact appearance). It’s much more fun to spend time with them because they have loads to talk about.

nona thank you so much for that, i really do feel more positive after reading your reply.
it was a bit like the first day of school this morning when she left, then she phoned just after a started this thread and asked about weekly travel tickets - i still feel needed - you are right, i've gotto get out there and do things now i'm free.

paintmyhair I feel the same - sort of!! I work full-time but am divorced but providing a home for 3 children. Two years ago my youngest 'baby' left for college at 16 - living away from home at the same time as my middle baby left for uni (age 18) and eldest aged 20 joined the forces!

Youngest now starting uni, but having a meltdown as she has left some vital paperwork at home and needs it for Sunday! She has also split up with her first boyfriend so although she says I dont need to I'm heading down to her later today, just to drop the paperwork off !!

Middle child rarely home as he's in uni in London and loves London way more than home although he says he misses my hugs and cooking too much to stay away permanently (awwwwww!!)

eldest is home every bloody weekend due to training being 9-5 Mon-Fri!!

It is weird when they are all suddenly away but boy, is it great to go home and the house is as clean as it was when I left! Kitchen is clean after mealtimes with no extra toast crumbs suddenly appearing, no sudden piles of laundry appearing, no heaps of shoes to trip over in the hallway . I love them all to bits but am going to relish the house to myself for a few weeks!!

blobby it's going ro so different what with the full fridge during the day - at least for a few hours - it'll be empty tonight though as they all live at and come home very hungry