My DCs are almost grown up - what a i going to do? I'm no good at sharing!

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Oh goodness, this christmas has highlighted that my DCs are almost grown up (19 & 15) and I have had to share them this year with BFs, GFs and friends and whilst I know that that is a good sign that they have great relationships with other people, I'm am tinged with sadness. My news years day was just me and DH. We had a lovely walk with the dog and a nice meal together. But it's just not the same. Share some positives with me?...

I hear you!

I was lucky, I had all 3 of mine plus 2 of their partners for Xmas. But none of them for new year !

The big two are at uni so I'm used to them being away but the 16yr old is out more and more.

Sometimes that makes me sad, but mostly I try to be happy that they have made such splendid choices of friends and partners.

Positives - I can use the to and sit on the sofa.... Eldests room is to be my sewing room with her bed still there though as she's doing a PhD now. What else ...less running about. Time to look after my elderly dad.

And it's bloody amazing when I do see them !

Thanks Helenluvsrob, I'm just a bit crap at sharing and probably come across as a bit needy! Hubby works wierd hours so it has been really difficult to please everyone. Kids are just blissfully unaware......

Two DSs at uni. Positives: loads of room on the shoe rack, much cheaper weekly shop, less washing and ironing and cleaning and cooking, time to pursue own interests, less arguing with DH about how to bring them up! And I agree it's amazing when you do see them. House fills with life again. Also, think of the alternative: them at home forever !!! Still have DD at home but she's out more than in. It's an adjustment but it's not all bad.

Can you be the house they invite lots of pals to?!

Thanks pebbles. I love being that house Haggisfish! and we have had some right house fulls! I think it's looming that DS is going back tomorrow night and I'm not looking forward to it! DD stays in her room a lot, loads of netflix goes on in there! Need to pull myself together. Kids are your life for so long it bloody hard x

It is bloody hard. Our traditional New Year's day walk on the beach involved DH and I and just poor DC4 - it seems like moments ago there would have been 6 of us. It's hard for the parents and hard for the youngest child, especially - he's grown up in a busy, noisy household and now it's very different.

I'm dreading already and youngest is only three! Glad you've enjoyed being the hosting house-I'm sure they will all keep coming back for a long time.

Oh bless you Hassled it must be hard for your youngest. Its just so quiet! And all the chores keep calling me but I can't be a**ed! Throwing myself into arranging a big Sunday dinner tomorrow, as DS will go back tomorrow night and he is with his GF and family tonight . When do yours DCs go back to work/uni?

Mine are 19 and 16. The elder one is at uni but it's in our local city so we see her once or twice a week in term time and for a week here and there during her hols. But I was still ridiculously disappointed that she didn't plan to come to ours for NYDay dinner, preferring to spend it in a freezing tiny flat, with or without her bf.

In the afternoon I texted offering to take her out here if she wanted and to my delight she came out with her (new)bf and spent the evening with us and a friend of DS. It would have been so dull without her.

This was the first year one of the dcs didn't spend it with us - dd2 spent it with her bf in England - and both DDS were away for New Year. It has been absolute bliss and the most restful Christmas and New Year ever .

Aww Rogueantimatter that's an adorable story. I definitely need to take a leaf out of your book and be a bit more spontaneous. It'll keep me on my toes and teenagers aren't too good at planning or communication are they! I wish I could think of it as restful dementedma I'm sure as the years go on it may get easier??