« Putting a toe in the water...... | me »
@ 22. Feb 2006 – 07:39:30
I can't believe I have no kids at home?!?!? When did this happen? My image of "empty nesters" are just a tad older than me - whoosh - they're not here! I thought I would post a photo of my pair just because I miss them (Mr 19 is down in Melbourne working before the Australian Army whisk him away in a couple of months and Miss 16, my baby, has just arrived in Switzerland for a 12 month !!!!!! Rotary exchange).
So proud but miss them so much.
pancho
donnalee
Thank you for sharing - you know how it feels well and truly! We believe that Maddi, despite her young age, which benefit incredibly by her stay in Zurich and although very mature for her age already, will mould our little one into a more mature young lady. And our big boy (Ben)? He already feels invincible despite his mum still insisting on a cuddle before he leaves the house on army adventures!!
I cant even IMAGINE! When they go away on hols without me I find that by day 3 I start calling them every few hours 
They are gorjusss Donna!
donnalee
Thank you - I think they are cuties but I am their mum! A very different pair - he's blue eyed and a deep thinker, she's browned eyed and a very tough cookie! I sometimes start to get a little overwhelmed thinking they are not within my "protective" zone! but I just remind myself this is their time to grow and take life by it's coat-tails. I wish I had a mum's manual to follow - but I will just keep "winging it"!
isadora101
You poor thing, 16 and so far away.
You're right about empty nesters being a tad older than you.
My girls are 35 and 22 so when the eldest left home to do nurse training at age 18 the little was only 5,then when she became 18 she left for uni. She finishes uni in a few months but alas I fear she won't be home for long, as now she has spread her wings and flown she'll probably keep right on going.
Like you I miss them too!
donnalee
I think deep down that is one of the hardest things - knowing that the way they left is not the way they will return. At the airport, little one didn't cry, she said it was not a time for tears but a time to be excited. She wouldn't let me say the words "goodbye" - so instead, we said goodbye to the Maddi we knew, and said we looked forward to seeing someone new in 12 months. I somehow feel when she DOES come home, our town (only 8,000) will be just a little too small! And for the big boy, well, the Army will send him just about anywhere, so the world is certainly his oyster. Time to work out what hubby and I are going to do next.
isadora101
"The world's their oyster", so true, it really is an exciting time for them.
You have the advantage of being young yourselves so the world's your oyster too. I'm 57 and hubby's even older, we'd planned to spend three months travelling around South America as our treat for being 'redundant parents' then hey presto 18 months ago he needed a serious bowel operation. He's on the mend now but who knows what the future holds. Good luck
Hi I am the one that is away from home. I am from Adelaide (Capitol of South Australia) I miss my home, give me a drought instead of the rain and rain of Scotland. I came here for a holiday and met my husband here but seven years of wet weather gets one down. Scotland does not know the meaning of sunny weather.
Travel for young people is great.
You have great looking children.
pancho
Thanks for your reply> Talking about your daughter returning as a different, more mature young adult, reminds me of the sudden realisation I experienced when all four of ours were home this recent Christmas holidays from uni..It suddenly dawned on me that as young adults, they become your great mates and friends. We spent endless hours just sitting about talking, and listening to each other. Our brood had suddenly grown up and it actually felt quite exciting. It gives us as parents a new kind of interdependence, and as every day is a bonus, we intend to make the most of it. This helps to be able to let the four of them go.... Hope you are managing to smile lots, even though I know you will have a few tearful moments thinking of Ben and Maddi being so far away. Good luck....
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I know the feeling donnalee when the kids leave home. We now have the four of them away, with three in uni and the eldest working in Wellington. Our middle two both did a GAP year in the UK, something both us and the two teenagers were a little hessitant at first travelling so far away from home and family. However, it was the best decision we all could have made, and the whole experiences have stood the kids in good steed for their uni studies. They both came back very mature young adults.. Good luck with both of your two away from home at the same time.....