<p>I cried just reading some of your comments so I know I shall be a basket case.. Will still have two at home when D leaves but S will be leaving the year after his sister. Am practising with IM while they are home and message them from across the sitting room...have to get used to these one line chats...they keep making fun of me writing in paragraphs! We live overseas so there won't be any mini trips..well maybe one or two! Thank you for sharing your feelings...will stock up on kleenex.</p>
<p>I thought it would be much more difficult to send my S off than it actually was. I worried for the first couple of weeks, then I realized how happy he is there and that he was managing his responsibilities on his own and I felt like I have done a good job in raising such an independant and adaptable kid. I still miss him sometimes, it's not as much fun to watch football w/o him. </p>
<p>My D is happy to be the only child at home now. The best change since college is that they're actually having a better relationship and have grown to appreciate each other as people, and not as mutual annoyances.</p>
<p>The funny thing in our house is that our son had some serious trouble adjusting to his sister being gone last fall. He was more in a funk then my husband or I were over her leaving. But when she came home at Christmas, he had serious adjustment problems learning to share again. ;)</p>
<p>For me it got harder with each child and the last was the most difficult. When that youngest one was at home by himself, we spent so much time together that it really left a hole when he left. When the first one left, I was still so busy with the younger ones, I didn't have time to miss him so much.</p>
<p>Other big difference, older kids both were very happy at their schools and youngest hasn't been. Bottom line, if your kid ain't happy, mom's not happy!</p>
<p>It's official. S2 left on Gap Year and H and I are ENs. Or OENs -- Ouppy (Old Urban Professionals) Empty Nesters. Ooppy, poopy, what's the difference, eh? Both boys are more than 9,000 miles away--over at least one sea.</p>
<p>H struggles more than I do. I am a realist. If I can't revisit the ultimate pre-teen family years--say 1987 through 1999--then fuggedabout it. </p>
<p>So last night, H spent four hours in some sort of ritual cleaning of S2's room (he started with a bottle of chard) when at 10 pm, 'knock, knock' at the open front door..and here comes three of S2's friends who say their hellos and then automatically wander into S2's room to have a look through his playlists and photos. They immediately make themselves comfortable and stay for about thirty minutes just having a general chat session--and laughing about such and such a photo.</p>
<p>After they left, I asked H, "Do you really miss all those kids hanging around house?"</p>
<p>Nah. We had our fill. Ready to move on. </p>
<p>*Opie--you're on to something. For mums at least, there is a distinct dampening factor to a house full of teenagers. I don't know if it is because the teens are bubbling over with hormones or what.</p>
<p>I'm doomed. I get teary easily, and horrors--so does S, though we're both quiet people and try our darndest not to show it (I had trouble just now getting through Drosselmeier's lovely post!). I've had a couple 'moments' already -- New Year's eve, shopping for a family graduation card LAST spring, watching his college's 2006 matriculation ceremony online, etc. He is my first, and I am going to miss him terribly. Aside from the whole Mom thing, he is interesting and funny and I really do enjoy his company.</p>
<p>The good news is that he's headed for a school he's crazy about, and going in with a great attitude. Thinking back to 1979, I remember my parents helping me unpack, having a bit of a cry/snivel with my own Mom (not appreciating what it must have been like for her to say goodbye to her youngest child), watching them drive off, and within 5 minutes meeting the kids on my hall and having the time of my life. I wish the same for him.</p>
<p>It will also be interesting to see how the family dynamic changes here. S. #2 is the quiet one. Wonder how he will be without big brother around? The girls are tired of sharing, and are already starting to campaign for S1's room...
Good luck natmicstef-- we'll all have to touch base again in the fall!</p>
<p>{*Opie--you're on to something. For mums at least, there is a distinct dampening factor to a house full of teenagers. I don't know if it is because the teens are bubbling over with hormones or what.}</p>
<p>That's cause they are vampires, each and every one of them. They suck all the hormones out of the house.:) Actually I miss my kids dearly, but I also love my spouse and hopefully will have years to enjoy her company. I definately got the better deal in this relationship.</p>
<p>dross, humane, vivid and profound,..as usual</p>