My son is leaving in August and I am freaking out. Me, the mature parent who has a full life, but cries about his empty room. I just don’t have people to talk with about this change. Of course, I will be his mom and see him on holidays, but I am no longer the go to for him. I no longer will chat in the kitchen about his day nor hear him with his friends in the yard.
We are so busy now but soon that silence will be too much. I work, am married, and am a go getter, but not feeling the energy of planning for this change.
All those years of parenting and being with other parents is shifting. I don’t even know what my role with him is as he launches his adulthood.
Sure, I will enjoy the free time but not the non-connect. I am not asking him to call once a week. It is up to him. I just haven’t found much support for this new time of life that is around the corner.
Thank goodness I found empty nest support services so I don’t think I am nuts or alone on my new self-journey. I wonder who I will become?
So that’s my story,
Ally
Natalie Caine, M.A. natalie@lifeintransition.org
Ally,
I am going through the same situation. My son leaves for college in August, too. I have been getting together the things he needs to take with him with tears in my eyes. I am trying to be strong but not feeling all that strong. I understand the “who will I be”. I have other children to raise but this is my first to leave.
Tammy