Separation anxiety

lostinrates

victory wrote: »

No don't tell me that:eek:that's my worst fear that he loves it and chooses to stay permanently:o

No, I think if you thought about it your worst fears might be more like...

He gets seriously ill and cannot live a fulfilled life
or
He comes back but always wishes he has stayed and is never happy
Or something like that.

I am sure you will all cope, though it's a little sad it shows he is healthily curious and ambitions and you have done your job.

victory

lostinrates wrote: »

No, I think if you thought about it your worst fears might be more like...

He gets seriously ill and cannot live a fulfilled life
or
He comes back but always wishes he has stayed and is never happy
Or something like that.

I am sure you will all cope, though it's a little sad it shows he is healthily curious and ambitions and you have done your job.

Yep the job is done still wish he like poets son was just moving a mile away:D

Purleygirl

Yes, it's a tough one, my number two child planned to go to Aus last year and I was in pieces, privately. Actually, she went to uni instead, has a boyfriend now and things have taken a different turn. You will feel awful for a while but you will learn to live, not without him, but differently. My brother went to Aus many years ago and it was hard on my parents. Could you plan a holiday a few days after he goes? That way you'll have something to look forward to. Keeping busy is key, positive thinking too, meditation, exercise, good food, all things to keep you mentally positive and healthy. Plan lots and keep busy so that you always have something to look forward to. I wish you well.

Savvy_Sue

Mine are all absolutely awful about keeping in touch, answering emails etc. I watch two of them on Twitter, the other won't even let me see his FB.

BUT when the chips are down, I know they will get in touch.

DS1 has given notice on his job to go travelling, we are terrified and proud in equal measure ...

liselotte

I echo what purleygirl and wilma33 say about taking a holiday then planning a trip to visit him. About a week after my son left for Japan hubby and I spent a few days in Ireland. Then when we got back we started saving and planning our visit to see him. This really helped me. Also keep as busy as possible to keep your mind off missing him. x

fawd1

victory wrote: »

Thank you:D I don't want to become a snivelling wreck trying to pull him back on the day he goes:rotfl:I think it's great, best life experiences in the travel, wish him the stars and moon just wish he could settle to living a few streets away:D

You're best bet is to get really excited for him, talk about his travels and let him know you're there whenever he needs you. Call once a week, and let him know you'd like him to call more (without nagging). When I was that age, all I wanted to do was get away, so I did, and my parents let me. In fact, when I moved to Paris at 19, my dad said as he drove me to the eurostar " you can come back whenever you want". My mum responded " No, she can't. She needs to stay away long enough to get over homesickness, loneliness and to grow up. Then, if she wants to come back, of course she can." I stayed six months there, spent another three years flitting between countries, and have now lived, for the last 8 years at most 20 minutes away from my mum. I LOVE,LOVE,LOVE that she cut the apron strings, let me go and do my own thing, and never once made me feel guilty, or smothered. It's why I came back.

Moominmamma

I don't imagine that it will be an easy transition, but you probably feel worse now than you will when he's actually gone! We went from seeing my mum on a more or less daily basis to coming to Asia on a 3 - 5 year stint, my mum did not take it at all well, but I definitely think the worst part for her was the limbo between us telling her and leaving.

Skype / Facetime is absolutely invaluable, and as others have mentioned there are also various free or cheap apps to help you stay in touch - I personally haven't come across the What's App one, but there's also Kakao Talk (very big over here!) and Viber.

Do try and stay as positive as you possibly can, whilst it's understandably gut-wrenching for you it's also undoubtedly an absolutely fantastic opportunity for your son, and a credit to you that you've brought him up to be confident enough to go and see what the world has to offer