Off topic - this is a preview of life 10 years from now

Cheryl Isaak said

After being a single, working, soccer mom, I really liked having the place to myself when the 'kids' left. I didn't mind it when they 'boomeranged' and came back after college and whilst between marriages.

Right now, I don't even have a pet and I'm loving my freedom ;-)

I`m with you, Anne - love it! You`ll soon get used to it, Cheryl - meanwhile just make the most of it.

Pat P

This is your chance, girl. Put on YOUR music, with no one rolling their eyes, and moaning "honestly, Mooooooommmmmm".

When my daughter was younger and she and her father were gone and I found myself in your situation, I felt the same way- I had so many things that I wanted to do (and had no time for when they were home), I didn't know where to start: watch that craft show on TV, go to a movie, Xstitch, read, sleep; the possibilities seemed so endless I couldn't decide and usually ended up doing housework to alleviate my guilt. Now she's off to college in another month and hot damn- I'm SO looking forward to it !!!! You'll get used to it Cheryl- trust me!!

Mary M. PS- I saw your blue Celtic project on another topic thread- VERY beautiful!! I'm impressed.

Cheryl Isaak ,in rec.crafts.textiles.needleworkwrote: and entertained us with

You'll just have got into the swing of it when they come home lol

That doesn't tend to be much of a problem - I find most of what they like acceptable and vis versa. TV however has been wonderful.

Cheryl

Yesterday was ok, today, we'll see. At least there are no complaints about the food!

Cheryl

I like the fact I can do what ever I want until the DH comes home. It is just EERIE!

Cheryl

I did some of that! But I did garden and stitch too!

In four years, DS leaves for college, semipro hockey or something... His room is mine!

Thank you!

Mary -

I'm in your same situation and have the same feelings! I am *so* ready!

We have a running joke in our house. It's so rare for anyone to be home alone for more than an hour - DH and I work together from a home office, and kids in and out, etc... - when anyone's home by themselves, we say, "It's time to take off your clothes and dance!"

sue

Hi Cheryl,

You wrote: Both DS and DD are gone this week. I don't even have 'rent a dog" ... THE HOUSE IS nearly silent - just the muted background noise of the washer ... While I have errands to do later, I find myself oddly at sea. Even the garden or stitching hold no appeal at the moment.

This week is a precious time for you. Think of it as a mini-vacation or a trip to a day-spa. Get back in touch with who you were before you were a mother.

I was a full time mother for over thirty years. Most people retire from jobs before then! When my youngest daughter left home a year earlier than expected I was truly lost. At first it was great! There were all sorts of unexpected benefits.

A refrigerator full of things I like to eat that wouldn't unexpectedly disappear. The radio in the car turned permanently to the station I like. DH and I chose this house for the school district. Now we can move anywhere. We always took vacations during school breaks, now we can go in the off-season. Coming and going when I please. Mornings to drink my coffee quietly while its still hot. I have extra money in the change jar that used to be for lunch money.

But then, when the novelty wore off, I had to ask myself just what I wanted to be when I grew up! There were so many dreams and plans postponed or set aside. Things I wanted as a 30-something no longer apply or hold my interest. As mothers we spend a lot of time preparing our children for life. This is what we have chosen to do. When our children leave our home, it isn't an empty nest because we are still in it! It becomes our time.

We helped our children prepare for the next step by helping them to succeed in school, supporting their dreams and goals, and researching options. Now we can help ourselves in the same way, working as hard for ourselves as we did for them.

Best Wishes, Jessie

Sorry, I'm not going back to engineering. LOL!

Hey - that happens within hours of a trip to the grocery store!

I think we'd stay here, moving a garden in next to impossible!

Vacations? Not centered around a hockey rink? What are those!

The nice thing about a teen at home!

That's why I get up at 6 AM!

There are things I've been thinking about doing - mostly about getting my teachers' cert. BUT, I've been "inside" education and I suspect I'd be much happier outside the public school realm.

Hugs and thank you!

CHeyrl

Jessie -

Thank you for a lovely post. You stated it beautifully.

I remember reading some years back that "Parenting is the only job in which your goal is to put yourself out of work."

Sue