How do you cope with children growing up,feeling lost.

[Lemondrop265]

Just wondering how everyone copes with their children growing up,silly question I know 🙈 my son (only child) is 16,just left school. I had him at 17,single parent by 18 and it has always just been me and him until I met my partner 3 years ago. I love that he is growing up,has his whole life ahead of him and is experiencing new things but feel so emotional. Could literally just cry thinking how hes grown upset fast 😂 ridiculous I know! He is a great kid. He obviously doesn't need me as much. My entire adult life has been spent looking after him and working (also around him) which has been hard at times but wouldn't change a minute. I work 4 days a week,run the house (patner doesn't live with us) and pre covid went out with friends,partner etc I just feel totally lost. I'm thinking maybe I should take up a hobby,exercise class etc maybe I'm just been too emotional 😂🙈

I can imagine I'll feel exactly the same as you when the time comes! It's so many years of your life and so much of your focus, it's a massive change when they need you a bit less. One of the benefits you get from having him when you were young is that you've now got a whole second half of your life to try new things if you want to. You could take some classes and learn something new? Could even lead to a career change? You could try volunteering or joining a social club? Get a dog or a cat so that you have something to take care of still when your son eventually moves out!

Don't forget though that he'll always be your baby and he'll always need you

I had this recently, felt really old and useless, like if I died now it wouldn’t matter as I’d done what I was put on this earth for.
You need to see it as a new start, what do you want to do now ? Travel, marriage ?
He will still need you for a time yet. Is he going to have driving lessons and go to Uni ?

I remember the pain! 16 and off, doing her own thing, calling back home only when she really had to. It hurt so much.

But that passes. You've got your own life back now. Make it a great one.