I miss my kids

[ssd]

They are grown /growing up, very late teens very early 20s
They do their own thing a lot of the time and rightly so

I just miss spending the long days with them when I woke them up and put them to bed after storied
It goes sooooo quick

It does, doesn't it? But what's the alternative?

Agree!!

My two eldest have moved out together.

I don’t mind at all actually and I have kittens

We went out today a nice run to a beach and all we talked about was the UK beach holidays we did for years when they were young

It flies by doesn't it

Yeah but I can work full time now and have progressed my career as I can fully focus on that now.

It's hard isn't it? My eldest two have left home & I miss them a lot. I'm glad they are starting to make their way in the world of course, but I look back at their childhood & the years just flew by. They were home yesterday for dinner & it was lovely to have us all together again for the first time since Christmas. It won't be long before my youngest leaves home as well. Then the house really will be quiet

I know, I'm not looking forward to the quietness either
All those tears i was wanting peace and quiet and time alone cos we never ever had babysitters.... We'll it's on the horizon and I don't like it....

Crazy I know

I know exactly how you feel. My children are young adults and out in the world. My son (first born), lives thousands of miles away working as an archaeologist in the desert. He is doing brilliantly but I miss him SO much. Luckily, we are able to talk and text on a daily basis, but my heart breaks all the time. He is so much fun to be around and we have always been so close. I miss him terribly, but I know I have to keep this pain to myself so he can live his life. My gorgeous daughter is 19 and still lives at home, but she goes to university and has a job and a lovely boyfriend, so she's hardly ever home. She's like a little whirlwind in and out of the house. We are VERY close and she texts or cells all the time, and when home we still cuddle, but I miss her. It's so hard. Thank god for my amazing husband. I'd be lost without him.

I know. It doesn't make me broody for anymore, mind.

Just the circle of life, I guess

Thanks for starting this thread. I was just thinking how hard and exhausting it is to have small children and you've reminded me that it doesn't last forever and that I will miss these times. I do actually quite dread the prospect of my DC growing up and moving out, and one of them isn't even born yet!

Was just thinking the same @robotic

Just you wait til the grandchildren arrive!

Mine are still young but I was just looking at my bathroom full of mickey and Minnie Mouse bubble bath and a random selection of animals around the edge of the bath thinking I will so miss this when it's gone.

it does go fast - mine are 16/14/10 - it's only 10 that 'needs' me now (although actually 14 and 16 need me so much but wont acknowledge it!)

Big ones spend time with mates, at work, watching Netflix in their rooms - I try to have at least one 'family night' where we watch a film and stuff but last night the eldest had a party!

I'm planning on fostering cats

This makes me sad too, must have been how my Mum felt when we all grew up and left home! Now I live round the corner and see her all the time so hopefully they come back to you in time

It seems like an eternity when they’re small and need you so much. Then they grow up, leave home and still need you in different ways. Have to say though, I’m loving the empty nest when they’re not refilling it which happens fairly often. I have NO rose tinted glasses about life with young children, school runs, etc. DH and I love our freedom now they’re independent.

Singlenotsingle, I've been on mn so long and read so many MIL stories I'm actually wary of being a grandmother as I have only boys

I fully expect to be pushed out and ignored

I so feel this! I have sons. One has left already and having an amazing time butbhas barely looked back.

The youngest will fly the nest this year.

I'm devastated by it all. I'm not someone who usually struggles with my mental health but I am succumbing to fits of blubbing and reminiscence.

It all went way too quick and I am deep in grief.

I don't know what we will do with ourselves now. We waited a long time for the kids and then when we were finally lucky enough to get them it was like we whipped through a fast moving wind tunnel and suddenly we've popped out the other side all bedraggled and a with battered bank accounts and wondering if we truly appreciated the ride.

I feel your pain. I feel it deeply.

I keep reminding myself of Kahil Gibran "On Children" words.... I totally got it before the kids were ready to leave. It was my mission to prepare them but now they are going I'm all.... "wait wait wait! I wasn't ready???"

www.katsandogz.com/onchildren.html

I am the same OP.

I actually want another child so much ... crazy probably

I always think kids are at the next step way before you are whether it's walking to school alone, getting the bus into town.... Growing up and leaving home....

Am I the only one who doesn't feel like this?
Mine are 20 and 22, and live 300 miles away . We chat daily on WhatsApp, and I see them for about 4 hours every 6 weeks. I am retired but busy. We will never live near each other.
I am happy I raised 2 strong independent young people. I love looking at the old photos and videos of them...but everything is a stage.

Not at all lungelady it's good to see you feel like that, I wish I wasn't as soppy

Yes saw my eldest dd yesterday 19 and moved out. I took her food shopping for some treats.
Youngest is 13 and Im treasuring every second I get with her as I know it will be her turn in not too many years. I can’t even recall how tiring it was with young children- you soon forget that.

Just remember that the days and nights are long but the years are very short

Could you foster? If I wasnt in permanent bad health, I would have.

My eldest is in year seven and I'm starting to worry she won't want me soon.