Having things to look forward to is important (and you're welcome on Shrinking! 🤣). It feels like you're carrying a lot of what the robodroids would call, "Latent demand." Demand for peace, for your own space, but also for your kid to realise they're strong enough for this next step. All those things have arrived in a confluence - big week 🙂
I can't believe that once small sassy human is making the next move! It's exciting and massive and all of the associated emotions. I can't wait to see his growth and see what he does next. Sending you many hugs. It will definitely be a rollercoaster of all the things tomorrow for the Big Move day. 🧡
Aw, Cassie, I get it. My oldest moved out much too early under difficult circumstances. That was the hardest year of my life. #2 barely let us hug her when we dropped her off at college, and she's hardly come home ever since, though she and I are very emotionally close (she just values her independence). When we moved to North Idaho from Oregon, #3 decided at the last minute to stay behind and rent an apartment with a friend; he was barely 18, and we literally moved the day after his high school graduation! And then last fall, #4 moved back to Oregon to live closer to her best friend. To make matters even harder?? She took her cat, which made our other cat wander hopelessly around the house yowling for weeks!! (I adopted a rescue to entertain him; he's much less lonely now!)
The slow process of becoming an empty nester has been interesting, to say the least. Things I thought would bother me have been no big deal, and things I thought wouldn't matter have stopped me in my tracks and forced me to shed a stray tear at unexpected times. I've added a daughter-in-law and two grandsons and one very-long-term-girlfriend to my heart, but at the same time, it feels like it was about 20 minutes ago that I was strapping in carseats and changing diapers.
One thing is that when we moved, I was able to claim one room for my office. I love it. Having my own space has made a huge, huge difference in my productivity as a writer. I got by in a corner of a bedroom for so long that even after four years in this house, I haven't totally acclimated to having my own office.
As for flipping a child's old room... We just did that with #4's old bedroom here. It's now a pretty, cheerful guest room with an exercise mat for my yoga days and a craft closet for all my yarn, etc. She gets to use it this weekend when she visits us. She says she's honored to be the first person in the guest room, lol.
I read this and my heart leapt with Joy! Joy that he is ready to move and that all the mahi and love and rough times have come to this - a choice to venture into adulting with new people as his housemates (though we know he's well supported and of course home will always be there). I am so proud of you and so proud of him and proud of you all really. All will be well in life's up and down experience and learning. Love you all heaps.
Congrats, lady!
I know it's been rough at times, but you're an amazing mom - and an amazing person. All the love and light in this new phase of your life.
Having things to look forward to is important (and you're welcome on Shrinking! 🤣). It feels like you're carrying a lot of what the robodroids would call, "Latent demand." Demand for peace, for your own space, but also for your kid to realise they're strong enough for this next step. All those things have arrived in a confluence - big week 🙂
I can't believe that once small sassy human is making the next move! It's exciting and massive and all of the associated emotions. I can't wait to see his growth and see what he does next. Sending you many hugs. It will definitely be a rollercoaster of all the things tomorrow for the Big Move day. 🧡
Aw, Cassie, I get it. My oldest moved out much too early under difficult circumstances. That was the hardest year of my life. #2 barely let us hug her when we dropped her off at college, and she's hardly come home ever since, though she and I are very emotionally close (she just values her independence). When we moved to North Idaho from Oregon, #3 decided at the last minute to stay behind and rent an apartment with a friend; he was barely 18, and we literally moved the day after his high school graduation! And then last fall, #4 moved back to Oregon to live closer to her best friend. To make matters even harder?? She took her cat, which made our other cat wander hopelessly around the house yowling for weeks!! (I adopted a rescue to entertain him; he's much less lonely now!)
The slow process of becoming an empty nester has been interesting, to say the least. Things I thought would bother me have been no big deal, and things I thought wouldn't matter have stopped me in my tracks and forced me to shed a stray tear at unexpected times. I've added a daughter-in-law and two grandsons and one very-long-term-girlfriend to my heart, but at the same time, it feels like it was about 20 minutes ago that I was strapping in carseats and changing diapers.
One thing is that when we moved, I was able to claim one room for my office. I love it. Having my own space has made a huge, huge difference in my productivity as a writer. I got by in a corner of a bedroom for so long that even after four years in this house, I haven't totally acclimated to having my own office.
As for flipping a child's old room... We just did that with #4's old bedroom here. It's now a pretty, cheerful guest room with an exercise mat for my yoga days and a craft closet for all my yarn, etc. She gets to use it this weekend when she visits us. She says she's honored to be the first person in the guest room, lol.
And yes, she's bringing the cat. :)
I'm so glad to find you again!
I read this and my heart leapt with Joy! Joy that he is ready to move and that all the mahi and love and rough times have come to this - a choice to venture into adulting with new people as his housemates (though we know he's well supported and of course home will always be there). I am so proud of you and so proud of him and proud of you all really. All will be well in life's up and down experience and learning. Love you all heaps.