Aww, these grown kids can break your heart, can't they! Our son is 40, back with us, depression, anxiety, don't know if he will ever work again. In spite of everything, I love having him home. Your boy will really enjoy his new surroundings, and you can Visit him!!

Stony,I feel your pain. My older daughter (age 21) just moved into her first apartment December 1. I really miss her smile and all the fun we had together. She drops by about once a week, usually to ask for money for groceries or some such thing. Today I went by her apt. with a bag of food. Call it a "care package." Soups and a loaf of her favorite bread. My younger daughter still lives at home and promises she won't move out until she finishes collegfe and has a job. Smart girl.

(((Stoney))) Ah... but just think! After he's been there a bit, and his job is going well. He will put an addition on for Mom to come down for the weekend!

how far is it?

((((bigack)))

Mine (31) moved back home 2 1/2 years ago...

He finally got a job which he starts on Monday...

I'm so tired of the dogs I could just scream.

But I know this house is going to be really quiet when he is gone again.

I'll miss him.

Who knows..they might stay awhile...and if so I hope they start helping to pay their way...we could sure use the help.

Anyway...I understand how you are feeling.

hugs

patti

Wow, stoneybaloney, lets start a celebration for DS. How proud you must be that he came home and got things together to start again. That speaks volumes, working, saving for his home, and now the new job where he will be living. How exciting for this young man. Its so refreshing to hear such a wonderful success story about young folk. You have quite a jem there, and know you have enjoyed him being there and watching him grow in success. Okay you can have a PP for one day, and then lets start a party for DS. Fine young man you have there.

Ditto to Hallngarden's post.

I know you'll miss him... but how lucky for him to have found a job in a place that he'll love! He sounds like he has his act together.

I've been to Lake of the Ozarks many times. It's not too far from where I live... DH and I have sometimes driven up to spend the day there.

(((Stoneybaloney)))

Thank you for all the hugs, I need them today. I'll be better tomorrow, I promise.

Yes, I am very proud of him. He's the youngest, has made several bad choices along the way, but has learned valuable lessons from each of them. I think he's finally a grown up. LOL

And yes, this is exactly what we wanted for him, when he came home to live. But the long-range plan didn't have this happening until fall. I just wasn't prepared for it to happen so quickly.

Where he'll be on the Lake is about 3-1/2hours from here, that's not too terrible a distance.

For those of you who know what I'm going through, hugs to you too ... kids bring a combination of joy and heartache, dont they!

I used to think that having the kids grown and gone would be a relief, until it happened! It's sad!!! One of our sons came back home after graduating from college. He's working two jobs trying to pay off student loans and save enough to get married in October 2010. So, after October he will be gone again. Hopefully not too far away. That will leave us with our last one who will be a senior in high school next year.

Feel you pain,
Sue

My DS is 38, married, one son of his own. They live 20 minutes away, but I still get a little lump in my throat when I watch them drive away after a visit! (Geez, Sue, Get Over It!)

It's love.

Big congratulatiions to your son for his accomplishments. Yes, Thirty is the new Adult-At-22.

I sure know how you feel. Stoney, look at that time as a gift. We don't always get that special extra time with our grown "kids."

I know you'll miss him, but be proud of him because he has pulled himself up with love and support from the family, and that is really special. 3-1/2 hours is not so much, and you can see him often. You could even both drive and meet mid-way for an afternoon or whatever.

Our sons visit often, but I always feel a tiny bit of sadness in a corner of my heart when they go.

But here's a HUG for you because you are feeling sad. Glad things are turning out ok for your DS.

Susan

Totally understand you Stoney!
It is hard on them too when they leave, so give him a big hug and send him off in style.

Connie~who sometimes wishes her adult kids were young again. (note I said SOMETIMES and that's rare! LOL)

You have my sympathy, stoneybaloney, and so do all the rest of you (us) whose kids grow up. Those darn ingrates!

I'm really talking to myself here, because my youngest (25) is leaving for SKorea for another year! We missed her terribly while she gone last time, have enjoyed her living with us since September, and dread Feb. 21, when she leaves again.

But, like you wise people who have posted here know, I guess we raised 'em right, eh? Too bad it's so painful.

Sherry

As each of my three left for college and then moved out upon graduation, I kept repeating a mantra in my head and to DH to get over the sadness--"This is the independence you raise him (or her)to have. This means he (or she) has done well and is successful, and so am I as a parent. All the years of working toward this turned out great. This is what we all want......"

We have always told our girls that if they hit a hard patch that they could come if they needed to, so far they never have. The oldest has been out and gone for 11 years the youngest for four years. The youngest one just called me to tell me that she emailed me pictures of her new couch that was delivered this morning!

I miss them being here alot, but having our granddaugther on a regular basis does help!

My 50 year old brother moved in with our Mom just recently, after his marriage broke up. It worked out good-he gets a home and food, she has companionship, someone to drive her places and do household repairs. She's 86, blind and has terrible lung problems (COPD/Emphysema) so she can'r live alone.

Aw.. I can see how you would be sad. But you raised such a fine man, who can live on his own! My parents are no longer alive, but I like to think that we would have been close too. I am very close to my inlaws and I miss them terribly living so far away. We lived with them for 9 months about 10 years ago and it was fun. We liked living there- but it is nice to have your own space. ((Hugs)) and be happy that you are such a good mom!

Trish

And you want him to have a life of his own...a wonderful life of his own. Perhaps he will find another love soon and fill your arms with new Grandbabies. Have yourself a pity party and then, send him on his way with your blessings.