August 17, 2007
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empty nest
I am getting so sick of this....
I run into someone at local ...
Me: hey, how are you? It's been awhile!
Person: I'm great! How are you, how are the kids? Boy Matt must be going off to college now huh?
Me: yep, he goes to Indiana on Tue. time sure flies.
Person: What about Jennie,? Still at Northwestern?
Me: yep, well actually she's studying abroad in South Africa ( beams with pride).
Person: ( eyes get large) SOUTH AFRICA! ( whistles), I wouldn't let my kid go there!
Me: Oh it's perfectly safe, bla, bla, bla, accredited program, bla, bla, bla,, I'm not worried at all. Durban is a modern city and she'll only be in a rural home stay for like a week. And yes, the rest of the time she'll be with Zulu speaking people but...
Person: WOW, okay? So you'll be an empty nester! Is expunge still in the house?
Me: Until those lots sell, great piece of property if you know someone, and yep, both kids are hitting the road!
Person: Oh you must be heartbroken.
Me: Are you kidding? I've been waiting for this day forever, ( gets teary), couldn't come soon enough.
Person: I can't imagine, I have 10 years before that happens. I think I would be bawling!
Me: ( rubs eyes, sniffles) damn allergies, anyway, no way they get so annoying by the end of the summer, even before, I like my alone time.
Person: Well Jane across the street has been crying for days. And you will have both yours gone.
Me: Well, Matt does say basically this will never really be his home again, and I told him this will always be his home ( sniff, sniff) and Jennie says I'm lucky if we can talk once a month when she's in Africa ( tear falls). Did I tell you she'll be celebrating her 21st birthday there? But ( sniff, wipe eyes) I'm really happy.
Person: well enjoy your alone time, take care.
Me: sobs
Comments (52)
some people are just asinine morons, are they not?
that's why I'm a big people hater
Ahhhhhhhh! Hang in there.
First they start into the horror stories when you are pregnant. Then they tell you about all the childhood disasters that can occur.
They'll brag about their children yet live a boring life and finally they rub it in when your children start to leave home...
Too bad you don't get to see who attends to your funeral, for sure the same people who give you jitters are the ones who will attend your funeral, to say to everyone what wonderful buddies they were to you....
I get mine back today. I am so happy that I cant wait. He has been gone over 4 months in New York. I cant wait for the stories and to just give him hugs until I am blue.
I dont like emptynesting. I am glad yours are so loving and so close to you. You let them go to shine in the spotlight and hold your head up high like a good mother should. Be proud and dont let others get you down.
You loved them with all your heart and that is not for sissy mothers and to let them go is also not for sissies. The one thing I have noticed is that you love with greatness.
(((((((((((((((((((((((((((hugs))))))))))))))))))))))))))
::::::slapping the shit outta that clueless woman:::::::
Love ya! Wendy
It's bad enough for me that I actually don't want my youngest (who is almost 14) to go away to college at all.
Pass those tissues over here...
Dont run into her again! She was miore nosey into your familys business. Remember kids always find there way home. It will take time, but think of all the things you can go do without a kids schedule.
I have one more year....
aw MOMOF! don't change your name now. I used to eat in front of my son's foto when I found out that I can't just skip and skip and skip meals or I faint. I KNEW it was empty nest syndrom but I did not know what to do about it. Blogging helps and as you can see we wont leave you alone. So whenever you feel like snivveling: Go full blast we sure understand! Yes and avoid the brainless smalltalkers by asking about their news! Receive fluffy feathery hugs and loads of juicy tidbids (comfort nibbling... insects are very rich on proteins and grubworms ever so moodboosting) or whatever YOU prefer.
I cried for days before we took Adam to Indiana (Taylor University), I cried all the way there and all the way back to Elmira.....so my heart goes out to you. Elaine
I am sure I will be just like that when my son leaves for college next year. Eldest one is back home temporarily - he NEEDS to be out on his own - and I still have my daughter in 5th grade, so I have a ways to go. It must be terribly sad to see them go! Passing the Kleenex, and a wet noodle for that other person....
amazing how out of their way people will go to get their digs in ... don't let the turkeys get you down ... you've done an excellent job being mom -- now it's transitions time -- you are still mom, but the job description changes ... they will be back & you will all be there for each other -- start reclaiming some life for yourself, too ... take care...
hugggggsssssssssssss....... u need that!
My daughter (my only child) moved out at age 18...she will be 28 in Nov. It took me awhile to get over the empty nest....but I snapped out of it...and enjoying it ever since...just don't tell her that...LOL..
Oh, I still have one at home, and after getting number 2 kid out, it feels like heaven! I don't know how I will be in 10 years, but now, I'm lovin' it!
Take Care!
time to go play with all your girlfriends!
Message me about your lots, I know someone looking to buy
Is it expunge or exsponge? Cheers PS so are you a semi ex mom now??
People can be so dense.
It's hard at first, but it's amazing how fast you adjust. Hugs!
And not once did she ask how you were!
See, this is perfect for me, because my youngest kid just called my oldest kid an ass, and last night the little kid threw a golf ball at the middle kid's head and then locked himself in the bathroom and called us from his cell phone to say we'd better get home quickly because middle boy was awfully mad about something.
And so you had to make me cry too? Thanks a lot friend. Here, have some tissues, I have extra and yours is looking kind of soggy. Hugs...
ummmm....thanks for the tears this morning...my youngest is starting 4th grade and talked to the teacher the other day and actually told her she could hold him back this yr...not ready for 5th grade...gosh girls, and well girls....nope not my baaaaaabyyyyy...feeling for ya girl
[sigh] Everyone's an idiot sometimes. Me included. I'm SO sorry you're sad. Sorry someone made it worse without realizing. Makes me wonder about all the people above who said, "I still have __ at home!" Um. Hello? Insensitive much? I'm kinda with PPhilip on this one.
There is a part of me that can't wait to get the out of my hair, and then there is a part of me that will deeply miss them. Right now, I'm trying to hold on to the part that can't wait! This time next year, my oldest is off to college, and my youngest follows the next year. 2 more years. WoOt!
I'm 42 and secretly want to just move back to moms house with no worries. Pardon my silly comment. Mom would kick me back out after a week or two...
It can be hard, I'm sure. I look forward to the day my girl leaves home-I'll be free, but perhaps lonely?
At least your two are IN school. My son, who just turned 21 too, is goign to work full time in retail of all things...
Boy can I relate
Aw. You'll be turning their bedrooms into home offices in no time.
I just got my Matt and Jenn settled into their apartment yesterday; they are living together this year in a 3rd story apartment. Can I just say I'm sore from hauling and putting together and all the other stuff?!?! I did manage not to cry when I left them ( perhaps because I was just too exhausted) but I did get a tear or two when we left the house to head to college/new job as choir director.
I got my Matt and Jenn settled into their apartment this weekend. They are living together; Jenn in college and Matt at his first job (as a hs choir director). I got a little teary when we left the house, but I was too exhausted from hauling things up 3 stories and putting things together and hauling trash down 3 stories to cry when I left them there to come back home. Next year number 3 will leave home; time flies!
Posted once and it didn't show up and so I posted again then it shows up twice! Sorry!
oh LAura hugs to you and oh that silly clueless lady...she will get hers..I guess in 10 years
Awww... in time they will realize how lucky your kids are.
Thank you SO much for posting in a large font!
Empty nest thing: people can't think of what to say when they haven't seen others in a while. It's the small talk thing. I hate it, too. It's like a social ritual you have to do, like dogs sniffing. It'd be great if we could all download our updates every month or so on a website and if you approached someone you hadn't seen in a while, your sub-dermal iPhone would update you so ya'll could skip the small talk and get down to actual business:
"Is junior really at a prep school or is he in rehab?"
"You know, I appreciate those 1000 pictures you gummed up my photo log with last week of little Britni Briana in the Teensy Weensy Junior Popsicle Pony Rainbow Miss contest, but could you maybe just send ONE?"
awwwww. I already cry at high school graduation, and my kid is only 13.
Awwww, I know honey...I know. I'm right with you.
Time for a safari in Africa I'd say.....kids often don't know what they are saying. Boy what they say can hurt and they just don't realize, until someday one of their kids will say something like that to them.....you have been a great Mom, I can tell..... I bet not too much time will go by, oh a few years or so, and they will be within driving distance. This isn't forever I bet.
Dear Laura,
My nest has been empty for over 50 years. Since you're sick of hearing about yours, I won't even mention it. Whoops, I just did.
Michael F. Nyiri, poet, philosopher, fool
Both my children (and future DIL, yikes) are safely under my roof this week. I'll join you in the bawling next week. But that said, I remember when all of Male Jr's friends were off to college and he was pretending to be a bum, drinking all night, sleeping all day, leaving me dirty socks and dishes. So in between sobs, remember its actually a blessing that there empty nest. you'd be crying even more otherwise. Roots and wings. Thats what moms are in charge of. I repeat that at least 38 times a day the first few days.
Why are people so clueless? It's like when people call me "evil kneivel" and think it's clever and they've thought of it for the first time. Ha ha ha ha ha. No. Not funny.
Be strong! Cry as much as you have to! Blame allergies all you want! You are fun and amazing and your kids will always come home to you! And maybe one day they'll bring grandbabies, which from my experience, means you'll see them A LOT more!
what's with the being nice crap....just tell them point blank today's probably not a good day to talk to you, it will shut them up for a minute so you can escape their big fat phony selves!
My empty nest begins tomorrow.
Where's the tissues when I need them!!
Never had to experience that since I never had kids - I know it's a pretty tough thing to go through. Ever thought about getting a dog? : ) : ) momofmagsojo!
awww poor laura...
my first one leaves at the end of this year, but i am looking forward to the first:)lol
((((((((((((( hugs )))))))))))))))
sniff....I'm crying and I still have a few more years yet. I'm not really looking forward to that, but then again I am!
I can relate. My last ( like you have a girl & boy) just moved out a month ago and I miss her so much. Guess I'll get used to it but it's tough at first. I don't quite know what to do with myself.
ok empty nest lady... you have no kids to be worrying about around the house...so why aren't you updating???????? I miss you.
this is a rough time and all I have to say is I'm so sorry! At least they are gone because they are doing good things with their lives!
I hear ya on the ups and downs. Some people just want to ruin everything. You gotta stay strong.
I'm happy that your kids are pursing with their lives. Most kids these days just want to have mom and dad do all the work. Your kids sounds like they have a good head on their shoulders. You have raised them right. Be proud and stand tall and say, "yep THOSE are my kids". Now will be the time for you to find a hobby and have time for you. Keep your chin up! Just think of all the wonderful adventures and life stories they will tell you when they come home. WOW!
*Keep Smiling!
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