Invitation to New Group - The Journey & Letting Go
September is here and for many parents their young children are taking that first step and attending Kindergarten. For other parents, like myself, our children are now teenagers and on a new journey. Going to college, university and moving into residence. All exciting and also this is a letting go process and allowing.
Please share your thoughts to inspire and empower others and thank you.
I'm the mother of 5 children, 4 sons and a daughter, ranging in age from 35 to 19 years old. I can't believe that last line because it is so unimaginable how time has passed so quickly!
Do I feel 53? LoL, NO!! I was just 17 years old, like yesterday, wondering how I was going to break the news of my pregnancy to my parents!! How did 35 years come and go so fast??
I'll talk more about my children at another time, but as a Mom, who's now divorced with all her kids grown and moved out and on with their lives...I find myself longing to wrestle my oldest to the floor, force my 2nd son to eat his broccoli, give my middle child all the attention in the world that he craved for, sit and listen to my fourth son tell me stories with his little lisp and speech impediment, cuddle with my daughter and smell the sunshine in her hair.
It is difficult to let go, but this is what we trained them for...independence from us as parents. They grow up and they fly! And if we do a good job, they fly really well!!!
Maybe I did too good a job? Where's the rewind button?
My best to all of you,
Sheryl
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ncharm,
I cannot even imagine how that must be for you. Cherish every minute you can. Additionally, perhaps the other mothers in this group can relate and lend some support also.
Take care of yourself, and try to not dwell on the impending sadness.
-Christine
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my oldest of 4 is going to ship out in a couple of months and i was and still am not prepared for the pain of losing him. time has rushed by so fast and i wish i had it all to do over again because i would slow way down and make a conscious decision to enjoy my children more and take notes and just soak up the essence of them....it's sad we forget what is truly the most important thing. time, this moment. not material things that we work so hard to get and the clean house that could have waited. time doesn't wait ...I've had an awakening i'm not going to waste so much time on trivial matters, allowing myself to be miserable while i try to atain something one i think i need. i have all i need in them and i want us to enjoy our time together
March 2, 2011 - 3:29amThis Comment
OK, my two sons have been out of the house for awhile. I raised them as a single Mom from the time they were 5 and 8 - now they are 42 and 39 and parents themselves. The 42 year old is leaving for Afghanistan next week and I am an anxious Mom. He came back from Iraq 2 years ago with alot of respiratory problems that still are with him and will be indefinitely. I remember when the youngest started college. It took me over six months before I could go to bed at a normal hour. I couldn't get used to him not being there before I laid my body down to rest.
I talk to both of them frequently and we see each other as often as possible although we are separated by 4 hours minimum driving time.
Your son will be OK at college - you have laid a strong foundation. Now it is up to you to use your "free" time to do all those things that you didn't have time for before. Yes, it is very tough to let go.
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Thank you Christine for joining in on the conversation! My hubby and soul mate Cliff and I always knew that every age of your child is special and every moment. We cherished this and having only one child I think this is a harder journey. There is Skype and we can use this to hear and see him and share all the new things he is doing: such as all the cooking; cleaning; washing and ironing; and by bus to purchase the groceries - all on top of studying!
Smiles, Moira
September 8, 2010 - 2:03pmThis Comment
What a great group idea! Thanks for starting it.
I believe "Journey & Letting Go" also translates to being present in the day-to-day of your children's lives. I know that is hard when your child has already left the roost. But for those of us with little ones still, it's a constant battle to remember that they won't be in our home forever, so the dishes can wait--go play with them while you can! Plus, play keeps you young, right? So many benefits.
Good luck and have peace in your own adventure.
Thank you for your post, sheryl0120, it made me smile. I believe it's true your children's ability to fly really well is a testament to how well you did as a parent. Is there such a thing as doing too good a job? You must have a good relationship with all your children. That too is a testament to how you are as a parent, I think. Yeah, they may frustrate us but at the end of the day, we love them more than we could possibly imagine loving anything in the World.
May 20, 2011 - 10:37amBest to you as well,
Christine
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