My DS is 12. We've always been really close but recently he's changed a lot, becoming stroppier and more distant as I'm sure is perfectly normal at his age. I know it's normal but that doesn't make it any less hard. But I'm not here to complain and I'm not asking about how to cope with having a teenager exactly. The thing is I've realised I'm feeling a sort of grief for the life I seem to have suddenly lost - the life of being needed and loved more than anything in the world - the life of being the entire universe for this one little person. I never really wanted kids until I was in my 30's but when I did I found something so wonderful that I loved so much and I gave absolutely 110% to it. And now it seems to have suddenly been snatched away and it just seemed so fleeting and I'm sad that it's gone already. I don't suppose I saw it coming really and perhaps I should have been more prepared. That coupled with perimenopause and I just feel tearful all the time So I was wondering if anyone could point me towards any good books/blogs etc that might be helpful in coping with this grief and working out how to navigate the next stage of my life so that I can rebuild something that makes me happy without my entire universe revolving around the kids?