Originally Posted by cally930 (Post 3451445)

You just have to think to yourself that all this is temperary. Life changes from day to day. You never know what will be presented to you.

My story is a little unusual........ we married young and had our first when I was 18. Shockingly to me, he is turning 30 next week. My daughter came along a couple of years later. So by the time I was 32 I was going through, I guess you can say empty nest...... only because I was feeling that my 14 year old and 12 year old didn't need me. So we had our third.

When my first son went away to college, I kind of felt that it was his time and he was so independent, I felt totally comfortable....... but a couple of years later when my daughter was going away, I was a total mess. I went through the worst depression. I felt that I didn't have the type of relationship and closeness that I wanted to have with my daughter, and was afraid that I was going to have with her a relationship that I have with my mother - love - out of obligation. Well that passed (thank God), and a few years later, when I was 42, God blessed us with a little surprise. So now, we have 4 kids (all with the same husband) where my oldest has 23 years difference with his younger sister.

My two older ones have sinced married, and my daughter has blessed us with a grandaughter, and is now pregnant with her second.

So, enjoy your free time now. Make lunch dates, go shopping, take trips, romantic dinners, whatever interests you, because you never know what life brings you tomorrow - and that free time you have now, will once again be longed for.

Originally Posted by Jinger (Post 3450595)

Hi all,
So yesterday I watched old home videos as part of making a senior video for my son. It left me in a sobbing heap, certain that I will forever be sad. :cry:
Intellectually, I know I will adjust. My daughter left for college in Fall '09, and while I practically had a breakdown, I eventually did fine.
BUT, now my nest will truly be empty of human children. And, I've been a stay-at-home mom for 20 years. Now what? :idontknow
I thought maybe some of you YTers would have good advice, stories, thoughts?
I'd love to hear them. :)
Thank you, ahead of time. (I'm guessing this will help more than just me?)

Originally Posted by concretegurl (Post 3452435)

I'm not there yet...but this is my plan...

1. walk around the house naked-perhaps the back yard too- !! the neighbors I don't have to see them at steering committee meetings anymore! :p

2. get another Yorkie!

3. Wild parties on a Wednesday night..too bad neighbors..again I don't have to sit through PTA, fund-raising etc with them and pretend I care what they think and I don't have kids at home that have school the next day!

4. Watch movies with graphic violence, sex, adult content and the "F" word A LOT before 8 pm...in the living room on the "family tv" yep during the middle of the day even...because I can now! (well then)

5. Block the Disney Chanel all together using parental controls!

6. Finally do all those things that are on my list of someday! Oh how that list quickly grows....

Originally Posted by Jinger (Post 3450835)

I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your husband. I'm sure you do miss him terribly. My husband is also my best friend. I'm sad for you.
It's good you do so many things! And, that you get to enjoy Yorkie Love.
I started knitting last summer, as I had many surgeries last year and needed to pass my time in a new way. I LOVE it! In fact, I just started a new afghan day before yesterday. I call this my "year of the afghan" as I'm hoping to give family afghans for Christmas this year.

Originally Posted by dispatcher (Post 3455049)

I know exactly how you feel. Oldest daughter got married 2 1/2 yrs ago, youngest daughter went off to college in 08. I thank God everyday for Bitsy, even though I have only had her for 3 months, I cannot imagine what I would do without her:)