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Anyone feel sad because their kids are growing up?
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Totally understand where you're coming from. My little boys are 19 and 16 now - DS1 has finished his first year at uni, now feels he comes to 'visit mum, not 'come home', has got himself a flat which he hopes to be in for the rest of the time he's at uni (3 more years). He's only actually about 40 mins away and I work near Manchester where he is so can pop and see him a lot more than many parents could but the downside is that he doesn't feel a need to pop home so much as he knows he can anytime (IYKWIM). DS2 goes off to 6th form college in September, spends as much time at gf's house as here and I really do have pangs of feeling very redundant. Made worse I think by many of my colleagues having young kids between 2 and 8 (and I had mine a bit younger than them, it's not that I'm much older than them).
I miss going to parks, taking them swimming, holding their hands when we walk, getting cuddles at night and reading stories to them. On the other hand I'm re-marrying in less than 3 months and do now have the child-free time to do stuff so I'm trying to focus on that.
Mind you last year when DS1 was about to depart for uni, that was when Toy Story 3 came out. The whole thing of Andy going to college mirrored that, and the bit dealing with how he used to pay with the toys but doesnt now hit SO hard as my kids were Andy's age, they played with Buzz & Woody etc. I howled my eyes out through that film...and it was at the cinema, not at home on DVD! I do have moments when it hits me but I just have to tell myself how proud I am of what they've become and I'm luckier than many women0 -
With a bit of luck, you will have even greater blessings in Grandchildren.I used to be indecisive but now I am not sure.0
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That's the news my dad is getting this week
I got that news 2 weeks ago... I hope he is happier about it than I was(that won't be hard!!)
LB moment 10/06 Debt Free date 6/6/14Hope to be debt free until the day I dieMortgage-free Wannabee (05/08/30)6/6/14 £72,454.65 (5.65% int.)08/12/2023 £33602.00 (4.81% int.)0 -
I got that news 2 weeks ago... I hope he is happier about it than I was
(that won't be hard!!)
I hope he is, he always used to joke that he'd throw me out (at least I hope it was a joke, he was laughing) but I'm not living at home now so we'l see. I'm not in the perfect situation at the moment but it's not the worst either.
I'm only home for a few days, so if he's not happy about it, I don't think he'l voice it anyway as he won't want to ruin what time we do have together.
A part of him will be happy about it, he always goes on about being a better grandparent than he was a dad (he couldn't possibly have been any better imo)The frontier is never somewhere else. And no stockades can keep the midnight out.0 -
That's the news my dad is getting this week
Congratulations
OP - I feel like this at times and mine are 3 and 5 years old:rotfl:
Especially DS the eldest.....he's shunned his much beloved teddy bear (because he doesn't like his dark eyes at night) but even during the day he no longer looks for him as his constant companion. OK OK I know he's 5 going on 6 and in full time school BUT although he's still quite a niave wee boy he's not a baby anymoreI am so pathetic aren't I
I have a gift for enraging people, but if I ever bore you it'll be with a knifeLouise Brooks
All will be well in the end. If it's not well, it's not the end.Be humble for you are made of earth. Be noble for you are made of stars0 -
Thanks everyone, it's good that others feel the same way. I am not quite sure why I am feeling so down about it all - this daughter will be at home for another 4 years at least. And she is still very cuddly and huggy and we are very close. DD1 is (hopefully - exam results stress starting to set in!) off to uni in September and I am beginning to get wobbly about that. DS will be at home for another 2 years at least.
I don't know, I just got to thinking 'I will never hear how their little voices sounded when they were little'. But I think part of the problem is that they're NOT little anymore, those times are gone. I remember when they were 7,5 and 3 and I used to say 'I wish I could just press the Pause button, let's keep everyone this age for a while'. But you can't, can you?
As for Toy Story 3 - cried my eyes out (in the cinema) at the boy leaving for college. And him giving away his toys. I've kept some of my kids' toys, they are in the attic waiting for the grandchildren.:)
I think I've had a bad couple of days, I have these crises sometimes where something seemingly small completely throws me off kilter. I've just spent a couple of hours doing heavy work in the garden and it seems to have done me a bit of good.
I do regret not having videos but I have loads of photos and lots of other keepsakes. But I would say to any parents out there with young kids - if you haven't got a camcorder, get one. You might not want to watch the videos much now but you will when they are older.0 -
I hope he is, he always used to joke that he'd throw me out (at least I hope it was a joke, he was laughing) but I'm not living at home now so we'l see. I'm not in the perfect situation at the moment but it's not the worst either.
I'm only home for a few days, so if he's not happy about it, I don't think he'l voice it anyway as he won't want to ruin what time we do have together.
A part of him will be happy about it, he always goes on about being a better grandparent than he was a dad (he couldn't possibly have been any better imo)
My son is 19 and been seeing this girl since February.. it isn't ideal..
I'm sure he will be delighted but will worry about you for the next 100 years! lol.LB moment 10/06 Debt Free date 6/6/14Hope to be debt free until the day I dieMortgage-free Wannabee (05/08/30)6/6/14 £72,454.65 (5.65% int.)08/12/2023 £33602.00 (4.81% int.)0 -
A part of him will be happy about it, he always goes on about being a better grandparent than he was a dad (he couldn't possibly have been any better imo)
I think you'll find that as soon as he lays his eyes on his grandchild, he'll be absolutely besotted. It's a grandparent's JOB to spoil their grandchildren - I for one am looking forward to being a Granny, though hopefully not for another while yet!
Congratulations, by the way.0
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