What Do You Do When Your Kids Grow Up
Posted: Saturday, September 22, 2007
by Susan Thom
Even if I have twenty five years left on this Earth, I will never relive this period of time, for the emotions are not necessary in my new life. They hold no purpose, and contain no growth other than for now. Once I have learned my lessons and absorbed any good traits, I shall move on. The first half of my life is over, and there are new horizons to explore. I want the second half of life to count.
However, two of my three are on their own, and within a few years, so will my youngest. What then, will I do with my time? I've been on my own before, had my own apartment, paid my own bills, had my own corvette. That was twenty four years ago. What has changed since then? I lost my independence for those years, and I gladly took on that challenge and sacrifice. Now, I will be independent once more, no crying babies, no fighting kids, no snowsuits and car seats and bottles and changing diapers.
When it was happening, I thought it would never end, nor did I think Id ever get a full nights sleep, but twenty two years passed in what seems like the blink of an eye. I want to work on my writing, and possibly even write a book. That has been a dream of mine since I was a little girl. Could it really be my time now? My life after raising kids? That would be a book in itself.
My computer has become my best friend. Unfortunately, my handwriting has suffered miserably from lack of use. My computer is easier, faster, and I can save everything. I have a few things to take care of first, and then, I am going to travel my own road, with my needs being met. I love being a mom, but all the physical labor is done. Now, its time for me to do something with my own life. I may have been a mom for twenty two years, but now, I am a mom and a person, free to do whatever I find interesting to me. No lining up babysitters, no Halloween costumes to buy, no toys for Christmas to deal with, no wrapping sixty or so presents.
I did it all, the baseball and basketball games for years. Now, I'll see what I can do on my own, after I have my daily cry that my kids are grown!
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Top-level comments on this article: (3 total)Thank you for your words:) my youngest is graduating this year. I am trying to find something other than my kids to make me feel alive. Trying to find me again. It's a daily battle for me, I never knew what my own mother went through when I left home until just recently, I guess as mothers we all get to this point but I sure wasn't exspecting it to be so hard.Please log in to respond to this comment.hi anon,i can relate. no more bedrooms to dust and vacuum, and ok, straighten up. no more noise, no more running up the stairs, no more "hi mom"but you are right. this is supposed to be our time to enjoy life without little kids taking up all our attention.ah---i'd give anything to be giving that attention :)thank you for reading and commentingand thanks for sharing,my best regards,suePlease log in to respond to this comment.
Sue,Let me know what brings you fulfillment. Now that my two have grown up and left home, I feel a terrible void. No matter how busy I make myself, my house is empty.Thanks,Carol AnnePlease log in to respond to this comment.hi carol anne,i have learned to count on my faith and hope that everything is unfolding just as it should, and i can talk to my kids on the phone, or e mail, or visit, and i know i did a good job getting them there. i know the house still feels empty, but new things can fall into place...a job i may have always wanted, my writing, keeping the house clean and neat, visiting friends and family, going for a hair cut when i want, or a massage, remembering the years i couldn't.looking forward to grandchildren.twenty years was lived for and through my kids, now, i need to stay in touch with them, and get in touch with me.good luck, stay in the day, and do a little something for yourself each day.thank you for reading and commenting,my best to to you,suePlease log in to respond to this comment.
Thank-you for the insight I have to move on too, having raised 3 children.Please log in to respond to this comment.hi kathleen,it's pretty difficult.right now, my youngest doesn't have a car, and can't find a job, but if he finds a job, he can't get there and since he doesn't have a job, he can't get a car!my heart aches, and sometimes, it beats with joy.i guess we just need to adjust to a different way of life.thanks for reading and commenting,my best to you,suePlease log in to respond to this comment.
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