KateL

My son went away to university today. I was a terrible mother when my kids were little and they were the ones that I needed to make amends to. I had a tough young life with no education or prospects. I wanted things to be different for them. It has been a tough few years whilst they have had tantrums, thrown phones at the wall, cried, called me a pushy parent, stressed over exams, got me into debt with tutors and fees and generally been a pain in the arse. Now, one will have her degree by next December and the other, the following December. The house tonight is quiet and a bit lonely but I am happy. I am happy because my kids have left with the tools to build a life. Had I continued to drink, they would probably have left because of that. It is a good lonely. But not for long. I can get on with my work in peace, go out and about, enjoy my own company (which I really don't mind.)

Bye for now kids and hello new life. Of course they will be home from time to time with piles of dirty washing. My children are gone and it is quiet. But I am one happy bunny. xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

suki44883

Congratulations!

It's different when they leave, but it's a good different. When my youngest married and moved away, it felt so strange around here, but I came to treasure my alone time. I enjoy my own company, too.

Dee74

enjoy the space Kate

D

KateL

You betcha

Hevyn

Love your attitude Kate. You did good work.

Anna

Kate, I'm glad you are embracing the 'empty nest' and isn't it great that your children are doing so well!

KateL

Thanks Anna. I hope I don't sound smug, but I am on a bit of a cloud today. We all had dinner out together (they go to the same uni) and I left them to it. It is nice that they go to the same place too, so they can look out for each other.xxx

Weaver

Love your positive attitude!

NJKitty

Congratulations! Pat yourself on the back for a job well done. You are a giving person and always have time for others in this community. Now enjoy some you time.

foolsgold66

Nice, Kate.

PurpleKnight

You should be very proud of yourself Kate, you got Sober for them and made the change, something they'll look back on and start to appreciate in the coming years when they really start to discover who they are having flown the nest and become independent, they'll start to look back on where they came from!! . . . a parent that did it for them!!

ps . . . enjoy that quietness until the washing machine needs to be on full whack some weekend soon!!

Like2Hike

Thanks for posting this, Kate. I fear the day a few years from now when both my sons are out of the house. They're my best mates.

Junegirl

Good job, Kate! Enjoy the silence. :-)

June

jaynie04

Congrats Kate…they are lucky to have you as a mother. I imagine all their friends think you are the fun cool mom!

peanutty

You earned your cloud, Kate. Parenting is an incredibly hard, incredibly worthy job. Congratulations on entering a new phase of it. Hope you treat yourself to something nice to mark the milestone.

Kaneda8888

THat is wonderful to hear Kate ! I would love to be able to say that when my kids get to that stage !!

jdooner

Be proud of the lesson you taught them. You have provided an example of how to deal with a difficult situation and pull up your bootstraps and apply the tools to right size your ship. WE all have our issues and problems. Few of us have the guts to do something about them.

Enjoy the space

Cascabel

My hat is off to you Kate! Not many people could do what you have done. Congratulations!

KateL

Well he is all settled now and doing ok. I have got so much done that I had put off for a long time, having so much time to myself. The first five days of *****!! freedom and space have turned into a bit of a lonesome bore now. I still have things to do but I miss him. Still, at least I know I will get used to it. Such a big change. Feels weird. xxxx

CODPlayer

One of the greatest gifts my parents gave me was their assistance to finish college and i'm forever grateful. It sounds like you did a good job raising your children, Kate.