Speaking from a Mom who has 6 and seriously enjoys the "chaos" of a larger family... my dream... I just know.... it would have been harder on me....had I only had
1 child. The house would have suddenly been so quiet, too empty....the liveliness of friends not stopping by, calling... Love my husband dearly but our children keep things Hopping - much joy they bring to us.
I fully understand we are here to teach, mold and help our children grow their own wings ... to prepare them to leave the comfort of the nest... all in all...if we have done our jobs well .....this should make the transition a little easier...for parent and child....feeling confident that they've grown into responsible / respectable adults who will use their heads in this big bad world, taking what you have taught them -to
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And when this time comes....and oh how fast it flys... this marvelous gift of raising our children....it is now time to "let go".... to settle this in our hearts, this transition....to lay down the apron strings -as they say.
For me, having 5 still at home...keeps me occupied enough... our house is still full of LIFE, sometimes too much... But even then, when our oldest left... it didn't take too long for it to hit me.. in fact, dropping him off at college and driving home, I CRIED.....realizing... he will likely never go on another family vacation with us... this time has passed, great memories ....but soon he will start his own family... there is JOY in this, but also sadness for any parent...
It just goes too fast.. probably a week later....I wrote him a 2 page letter ..how it has been a JOY to raise him, how I missed him already but we are so proud of him, the fine young man he has grown into....(Geeze, I am balling now writing this!!)...
He told me how much that meant to him, made him tear up even... he saved it.
For me.... WRITING helps get anything out of my system, after I wrote that letter, balled a little.... then I was good to go.
Acceptance came over me, He is on his own now, things will never be what they was ...but this is OK... he has started his own NEW adventure. His wings intact.
Empty Nest feelings hit some mothers harder than others... but it's all.....so NORMAL.
And yes... I was more "emotional" over his Dad.