First child is leaving home tomorrow…..

[happiestbythesea]

I don’t know which board to post this on. There doesn’t seem to be one.
its 1.30am and in 3 hours I have to get up and drive my beautiful son to start his new adventures elsewhere where he has a job waiting.
The car is packed, full of his belongings, I’ve marked his last height on the door frame and he’s sleeping right now with our old Labrador, probably for the last time.
I know this is the right course for us mums, but right now I can’t stop the tears. The years have gone so quickly and tonight will be the last time for a while he’s here.
my children have been my life, it’s all I ever wanted as I didn’t have a home like ours when I was growing up. I’m so grateful for the years we’ve had together.
I know there’s FaceTime and texting but if anyone has gone through this I’d love some company on this journey. Xxx

Well done mumma, you did it!

I know it feels so sad now and your best feels empty but our jobs as mums is to get them ready for the real world. We only have them for a short period of time and if you've raised a child strong enough to flea the nest to another city to start a new job it sounds like you've done such a good job. Sending lots of hugs

Thank you for responding. It’s good to know there’s someone out there at this time of night. It’s true, it’s a short time, I wasn’t prepared to feel this sad!

I felt this way when my son left for uni in September. Just want to turn back the clock to when he was little. I even miss making his packed lunches for school! It's so hard but be positive you've done a great job and raised an independent son off to a new job and let him know there's always a home for him to come back to. I'm sure he'll be home for visits xx

I get it, it's hard

However, what you've done is raised him. You've given him roots and wings as the saying goes.

Don't worry, he'll be back and full of stories about his adventures.

Thank you. My oldest leaves for Uni this September too. He’ll be home for holidays I’m sure. I do know what you mean though. I was sitting in his room looking at all the things he’s made at school, or reading Enid Blyton at the end of the day to time.
it feels like a lonely journey, thank you both of you for being around x

Thank you, yes he’ll be back with stories x

You’ve got to pull yourself together. He’s not leaving you forever! Don’t saddle him with a load of tears and guilt, be positive and happy for him

oh no, he’ll never see any tears! He’s asleep! And yes I’m very happy and proud of him.

It doesn’t sound like she is, she’s on here and grieving in private. I think OP sounds like a lovely mum. My parents are very emotionless growing up and when they dropped me off at uni it was just a ‘bye then’. I’d have loved to know that they missed me or felt proud or whatever

well done OP. Mine are tiny and even I well up thinking about the day I’ll be in your shoes! Sounds like you’ve done a great job

What everyone else has said - this is life - to prepare them all for the next step/stages - they'll always be on the end of the phone for a chat/text. He'll be as excited as you are sad/aprehensive - but its because you've done a great job the he is ready

Thanks Borkonzola, you’re right and I’m sorry you had the experience that you did. I guess you’ll use it like me to do things differently with your little ones.
I never thought this would happen! The boys were going to stay young forever!
Enjoy your weekend with them