Why is this getting to me so much?

PolarSkye

PolarSkye

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. . . my babe turned 16 today (there's another one coming up behind her at 14) . . . I don't know why, but I've felt wistful all day. I simply cannot believe that my little EmmaLou is already 16 and we're only a couple years away from her going off to Uni . . . will miss her so much!

I know people moan about teenagers . . . and I know I'll sound like I'm biased (well, I am . . . ) but both my girls are such fun to have around and our house will be the poorer for not having either one of them in it.

What's wrong with me? I'm too young to be empty nesting!

This is the lovely girl herself . . .

. . . when she was little . . .

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. . . when she was about 10 . . .

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A couple of years ago . . . on Bude Beach . . .

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Happy Sweet Sixteenth my darling.

P
 
It's cos it means you're getting old!!!!

My eldest turns 16 in April. :eek::eek::eek:

But my new baby is also due two days after his birthday so I'll still have a little person to fuss over. They grow up so fast. :(
 
Lovley photos, reminds me of when my daughter left home to go to Uni. Its a bit of a strange feeling, have to say though, its nice being able to please myself more now and sort of get my life back - getting horses again after a long break.

Look at it as one chapter closes and another one opens. My daughter is 22 this year and son 17. They dont ever stop needing you, its just another phase of learning..
 
I know exactly what you mean. I count down (not in a positive way) the number of years left of my two lovely boys. My oldest is just about to turn 15 and is already way taller than me. It was never intended but I have 6 years between my two and I am thankful that it has made me appreciate the younger one even more. He will soon turn 9. I love the holidays, hate term time and wish their childhood would never end. I find it really sad that one day it will all be gone. But I try to console myself with producing two wonderful people (as I'm sure your girls are) that will hopefully go on to have full and happy lives. xx
 
Izzwizz said:
Lovley photos, reminds me of when my daughter left home to go to Uni. Its a bit of a strange feeling, have to say though, its nice being able to please myself more now and sort of get my life back - getting horses again after a long break.

Look at it as one chapter closes and another one opens. My daughter is 22 this year and son 17. They dont ever stop needing you, its just another phase of learning..
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Wise words . . . thank you . . . I guess I'm just staring them leaving home in the face . . . and I'm dreading it. Between us, OH and I have four children . . . I have a birth daughter who will be 27 this year . . . but I haven't raised her so that's a different kind of missing . . . OH has a son (my adorable stepson) who is now 24, but he's never lived with us full time so although we miss him terribly we didn't get to experience him "leaving home" (plus there's an ocean between us - he lives in Ohio) . . . so this leaving this is new . . . and I'm not looking forward to it (even though I want her to fly).

I'd give anything to have another go round of her baby and childhood . . .

. . . now I'm getting maudlin . . . time to go to bed.

P
 
I don't have kids (actually I don't really like them much!) My biological clock never started ticking. But those photos are lovely - I really like the first one. She is such a pretty girl.
 
My daughter was 1 last October, I just can't believe how quick it's gone everyday she says a new word. It's going to fast, I dread the day she really grows up & is independant :(
 
nikicb said:
I know exactly what you mean. I count down (not in a positive way) the number of years left of my two lovely boys. My oldest is just about to turn 15 and is already way taller than me. It was never intended but I have 6 years between my two and I am thankful that it has made me appreciate the younger one even more. He will soon turn 9. I love the holidays, hate term time and wish their childhood would never end. I find it really sad that one day it will all be gone. But I try to console myself with producing two wonderful people (as I'm sure your girls are) that will hopefully go on to have full and happy lives. xx
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This. I'm so glad I didn't know how much this would hurt when they were little . . . but wow this is really hitting me hard (and they're not going yet!). I guess I need to take the view that they're not going, it's just a new phase of life . . . watching them fly on their own, find their way, build their own lives . . .

P
 
She is a beautiful young lady! No wonder you are so proud :D

I remember watching a programme about 'empty nest syndrome' when children go off to uni, and sobbing my socks off at the thought of my Alex leaving home. He was 10 months old at the time :rolleyes:


ps: He's 21 now :D
 
My daughter will be twenty on the 24th this month. So will no longer be a teenager. The time goes so quickly. No sooner do you become accustomed to one stage of their life, they move on to the next. My daughter has told me that she would like to be living independently before her twenty first birthday. It's a sad feeling.
 
I'm 21 this year and still live at home with my 19 year old brother - my dad can't wait for us to fly the nest (i'm sure only for the best reasons!!) but my mum is happily clinging on to us! Neither of us went to uni so we've stayed longer than most.
I look forward to the day I get to have my own space, the right time will come, but too much going on with the horses!
 
Holly Hocks said:
I don't have kids (actually I don't really like them much!) My biological clock never started ticking. But those photos are lovely - I really like the first one. She is such a pretty girl.
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Thank you. That photo actually hangs on the wall over the mantlepiece, along with one of my youngest (not huge portraits you understand - just photo size) b/c it's one of my favourite pictures of her.

This is the one of Jules (our youngest) that hangs on the other side of the fireplace . . .

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. . . and a couple I took at Burghley 2008

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Sorry . . . like most Mums, I'm inordinately proud of my young'uns . . .

P
 
What a beautiful girl and great photos.
All these milestones !! My oldest baby Carl is feeling all grown up as he hits his teens tomorrow - 13
Then Sophia just turned 11
And by gorgeous little 'bonus' baby Amelie only 2 1/2.
 
PolarSkye said:
This. I'm so glad I didn't know how much this would hurt when they were little . . . but wow this is really hitting me hard (and they're not going yet!). I guess I need to take the view that they're not going, it's just a new phase of life . . . watching them fly on their own, find their way, build their own lives . . .

P
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I was always told that if you let them go they will come back. I just hope it's true. xx
 
cambrica said:
What a beautiful girl and great photos.
All these milestones !! My oldest baby Carl is feeling all grown up as he hits his teens tomorrow - 13
Then Sophia just turned 11
And by gorgeous little 'bonus' baby Amelie only 2 1/2.
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Happy Birthday Carl (and Sophia) . . . turning 13 on pancake day! You're right . . . so many milestones . . . seems like only yesterday I was planning Ems' first birthday party and watching her take her first steps (at her cousins' christening).

P
 
Such lovely photos.

My daughter is 17 in July, graduates High School this summer, has her drivers license and spends more time in town with her friends than at home at the weekends - weaning us off her I guess.

She's the only one, and I know exactly how you feel, I am dreading when she finally leaves properly. Letting go is crappy :(

I remember being in such a hurry to leave home and go to college in the city.

This song just about says it all for me, it has me in tears everytime I hear it. I howled when I heard it in Mamma Mia.

http://youtu.be/LNaNVuWes_U

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A couple of years ago I felt the same about my 2 boys. 1 came back after Uni to get a job & the other never went. Now I'm beginning to think I'm never going to be able to do the planned downsize & go mortgage free!
 
blimey I am getting old. My son is 27 now. I remember too it was very hard when he left home. He only moved 20 odd miles away but it was still a wrench.

He moved back to our town and am lucky we still have a fabby relationship and even in hectic times I see him at least once a week, speak on the phone all the time.
He is now looking to buy his first house, But I do know he won't go too far from his mom :D
 
I know how u feel :( I have one turning 16 next week, another 18 next month & my little baby boy has somehow reached 13!

I was looking forward to a quieter house for a while though when the big lad goes off to uni but he's decided not to go! Secretly happy :)
 
A beautiful girl :D. Happy sweet sixteenth :D

I know how you feel hunny.

My two darling daughters drive me to distraction (and beyond!) sometimes, but I will be one useless pile of sadness when they leave home.

I have hubby and horses and dogs and businesses, but home just won't be the same without our girls.

They're fifteen and eighteen this year...
 
What beautiful, beautiful girls you have, OP. No wonder you don't want them to leave. The only constant in life is change. You'll never lose them, you'll always be needed, just in a different way.
My house rocks with grandchildren bouncing off the walls and sometimes as I'm tripping over the lego bricks, I'm transported back in time to when their parents were sweet little innocents.
Once a mum, always a mum from the cradle to the grave.:)
 
I agree that they never really leave as such, mine are 25 and 24 this year and my youngest still lives at home after 3 years of living at uni, graduating and getting a job. My eldest is still away at uni doing a phd, but sees his university city as 'home' I think now.

It is a wrench at first, but you soon get to appreciate the time to enjoy your home with your oh and less washing, cooking etc. Then when she does come home there will be the extra washing and ironing etc along with the joy of seeing her again!

I am still very close to both of them and in a way it shows you have done a good job when they achieve their independence. Another step on the ladder of life.:)
 
horserider said:
What beautiful, beautiful girls you have, OP. No wonder you don't want them to leave. The only constant in life is change. You'll never lose them, you'll always be needed, just in a different way.
My house rocks with grandchildren bouncing off the walls and sometimes as I'm tripping over the lego bricks, I'm transported back in time to when their parents were sweet little innocents.
Once a mum, always a mum from the cradle to the grave.:)
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Thank you - what a lovely thing to say . . . :). What I love about my girls is who they are - they are both such fun/nice people to know (most of the time - they are still teenagers ;)).

Yes . . . I guess there are grandbabies to look forward to (not just yet though!) . . . would be fun to have little people in the house again.

And you're right about change . . . life has been changing since they were born . . . but their nearing adulthood is a really BIG change. We'll be fine . . . I was just so surprised by how Em turning 16 affected me . . . more than any of the previous milestones.

P
 
touchstone said:
I agree that they never really leave as such, mine are 25 and 24 this year and my youngest still lives at home after 3 years of living at uni, graduating and getting a job. My eldest is still away at uni doing a phd, but sees his university city as 'home' I think now.

It is a wrench at first, but you soon get to appreciate the time to enjoy your home with your oh and less washing, cooking etc. Then when she does come home there will be the extra washing and ironing etc along with the joy of seeing her again!

I am still very close to both of them and in a way it shows you have done a good job when they achieve their independence. Another step on the ladder of life.:)
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You're quite right that it's another step on the ladder of life . . . and as parents isn't it our job to equip them to go out into the world and contribute/be good, decent, kind, compassionate people?

P
 
Lovely pics and a beautiful girl ..... Now stop maudlin, be happy youve turned out a super girl who's confident enough to go out in the world, and take the time to live it up again yourself :-)
Believe me it wont be long until youre planning the wedding, and waiting on the grandchildren, each bit of their life is special, but dont forget to live yours as well
 
What lovely pictures. I wish my boy would allow me to take just one photo of him when he isn't playing the goon!

He is about to turn 14, and is just on the point of being taller than me, which he finds very amusing!. We've had a horribly stressful time recently - he was just beginning to get his independence - heading off on his own to do whatever it is that teenage boys do (I really don't want to know!) but he started having seizures in September, and has been diagnosed with epilepsy. At the moment, he isn't allowed to go anywhere on his own, and all the freedom he was starting to enjoy has been whipped away. I really feel for him, and wish I could let him go and do his own thing!!
 
Auslander said:
What lovely pictures. I wish my boy would allow me to take just one photo of him when he isn't playing the goon!

He is about to turn 14, and is just on the point of being taller than me, which he finds very amusing!. We've had a horribly stressful time recently - he was just beginning to get his independence - heading off on his own to do whatever it is that teenage boys do (I really don't want to know!) but he started having seizures in September, and has been diagnosed with epilepsy. At the moment, he isn't allowed to go anywhere on his own, and all the freedom he was starting to enjoy has been whipped away. I really feel for him, and wish I could let him go and do his own thing!!
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Aw thats such a shame, im sure when his seizures are under control he'll be right out there with his mates, if theyre good guys you can trust, get them trained up on giving any rescue meds he might need when his condition is stable
 
marydoll said:
Aw thats such a shame, im sure when his seizures are under control he'll be right out there with his mates, if theyre good guys you can trust, get them trained up on giving any rescue meds he might need when his condition is stable
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That's the plan! He's pretty much sorted with the meds, but keeps growing another foot and having a funny turn because he's outgrown the dosage!
 
marydoll said:
Aw thats such a shame, im sure when his seizures are under control he'll be right out there with his mates, if theyre good guys you can trust, get them trained up on giving any rescue meds he might need when his condition is stable
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This. Talk to him about his friends - see who he trusts and get them involved. He'll get his independence back soon enough.

Thinking of you x

P
 
PolarSkye said:
This. Talk to him about his friends - see who he trusts and get them involved. He'll get his independence back soon enough.

Thinking of you x

P
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Easier said than done at the moment. He's a bit funny about it and would rather stay at home than make more than a passing reference to his condition to his friends. Not because they aren't nice boys who have been fine since they were told, but because he really doesn't want to be singled out as different! I have to keep quiet and let him decide what he wants - he's got enough on his plate with the onset of puberty - last thing he needs is me bugging him to do something he doesn't want to do! I think he will relax about it in time - it's only been a few months after all.
 
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