To be there or not to be there ...?

[Ooopsadaisy]

Hi

Does anytone else struggle with this balancing act?

So your dcs are older and don't actually NEED you, so you work part-time so you can still take them to cricket matches/drama things/football/skating/fishing/music/rugby/trampolining/swimming/sleepovers .... you know how it is.

I feel strongly that I want to be a part of their interests as well as be here to talk if they have ishooos or need homework/exam help. Also I like to spend time with them in the holidays.

I am off work this afternoon. I only did this morning so I could pick DD up on the way home and I have to drop DS off at a friends's house later.

We've all had a sandwich and fruit for lunch. DS is watching football and doing homework (yes, whatever) and DD is reading a book and curling her hair.

I am not needed here.

Does anyone else feel a bit odd like this?

Half-term seems to highlight this even more. When I'm here I feel like I shouldn't be.

Am I odd ... or is this normal?

Normal - if they're like mine they still like having you in the house even if they're doing their own thing.

frazmum - I feel I should be organising a game or that we should be making cakes together or something.

Of course, neither of them want to be doing any such thing.

Is this a sort of run up to empty nest syndrome do you think?

i miss being needed though

sharbie - that's interesting because I'm wondering if I do too.

I used to think - "when will they just make their own lunch/put their own washing away/stop asking me to play games/get the playdough out etc?"

Now I just wonder what I should be doing ....

If they are anything like mine, all you have to do is start doing something interesting - particularly if it's something you would really like to do by yourself - they will be there in a flash!

i know and the sad thing is i knew that the toddler years were just the best and they went so fast .hey ho roll on the grandchildren .

Do you think I should be in their faces or should I just leave them?

I want to respect their privacy/space but I don't want to appear like I don't care?