Is it normal to have had enough of parenting kids 18+

[Mamabear2424]

I am exhausted and drained parenting teens and young adults, is it normal to feel totally like 'im done'?? Of course will always be there for them no matter what but i feel i want time for me now, time to think about me a but more. Am I being unreasonable and can other parents understand ??

So true, laughing at the story of the mother who considered herself involved for giving you a stamp for the uccas form 😅😪

I enjoy this age more than when they were younger really so haven't had enough but IMO it's more exhausting.

DS1 is 17 and now driving so that is helping a bit but my 2 have really busy lives with work and sports and it's not always possible for them to go alone. Its the mental exhaustion rather than physical. We thought it would be a good idea to get pets in the last few years, we love them of course but did not appreciate the exhaustion of that either!

We have always asked for them to help out and keep rooms tidy etc but they are rubbish, it's quite disappointing however I was exactly the same until I left home so I'm not hugely concerned. They are both hard workers so think they'll be fine.

It's not really parenting in the same way at 17 and 15 but these years bring lots of worry - drinking, being out late, safety etc so I find that really tough, I am quite anxious about a lot of things which makes it harder. We don't live near a particularly nice area (main areas in town are getting worse crimewise).

I agree with this, on MN there are so many teens that are treated like young kids from 14 upwards. I don't know how I'd cope if I still tried to parent them like 10 yos and being in charge of every little thing they did eg bed times, phones, study. They need to learn independence and from 14 upwards IMO they should be pretty much self sufficient!

Mine are now away studying and i love my time its amazing! I also enjoy the time with them more now, as its not constant ?

I'm so glad I found this thread. My kids are in primary but the eldest is in the final year. I've been meaning to ask on here for some time about the teenage years.

I think I going to get the independence ball rolling. My kids will dry up for me when I ask them to, but things like homework etc. I basically sit with them whilst they do it so I can help them. That will be stopping once they are at high school.