Hi - My eldest child, my son, turns 21 today!  What a mixed bag of feelings this brings......The other day, I had to go to Toys R Us for a gift for my friend's daughter, and got kinda weepy in the eyes, thinking of all the times my kids and I were there, when they were younger (my daughter is 16).  I was a stay at home mom, and spent lots of quality time with them, but it's never enough!  That's why the tried and true expression of  "Enjoy them while they're little" is so true, because it's over in a flash.  As for me, I REALLY have to get a grip on what the rest of my life will be........Kim

I feel IDENTICAL to this about my kids growing up. (My oldest is 17) I see you posted this a couple of years ago, so tell me, did you get a grip finally? What feelings still lie ahead for me. I'm getting kind of tired of feeling like this!

My son has left home also. As a only child my world more or less revolved around him. IT's hard, very very hard to let go. He is in college and only gets to come home for a Christmas break. He works there during the summer. My faith in the Lord is the only thing that has helped me thru this. With peri..loosing my father last month..my child leaving home..only my faith has gotten me thru it all.

I guess it makes us realize that when our children get older, so do we LOL! My son will be 20 in a couple of weeks. He still lives at home; goes to university and works part-time. My daughter turns 16 in February. I am so proud of both my kids, and am blessed to have a close relationship with them.

Jacqui--same here, my kids are great. I read and hear so many stories of children and parents in turmoil, I feel so lucky. I can't imagine this emotional time in our lives and upsets like THAT on top! I have 2 sons. The oldest just truned 20 ---probably close to the same day as your son--Jan 19th. My younger son is 17 almost 18, and will also be going off to college like his brother ---This Aug. Hopefully he will be accepted at the school his brother's in, which is a 2-1/2 hr. drive from home. If he doesn't---his second chioice college is about 1500 miles away. Oh, well, I do want him to have the school he wants. I have mixed emotions about their BOTH being gone soon. I have put a lot into them (don't we though?) and feel like--whew!! And yet I can't imagine this place with just hubby and I wandering around. They plan to both work at school in summers also. That and son#1 having a girlfriend in another state--we won't see much of them at all. They are both so funny and fun to be around that I will mis them terribly, but hope to get into some old hobbies and enjoy the freedom.

Virgo, my son turned 20 on January 27th. I get weepy-eyed everytime he calls me to say, *Mom, I was just thinking of you, and wanted to tell ya that I love you!!!* He could be walking to the metro, or inbetween classes. I also hear plenty of horror stories of kids and their parents who don't get along. Thank GOD this isn't the case for US!!! Jacqui

My twin sons turned 20 on January 25th. They ae sophmores at a local University. I am so proud of them I could just scream sometimes. 21 year old daughter is a senior at another University. I talk to her 5 times a day, and meet for dinner, and the movies often. I often complain to my boys that they are slobs. Their bathroom looks like it should be condemed, and their bedrooms look like a tornado blew through, but in all that is important, they are wonderful. My favorite thing to do is to hang out with them, and their friends. All 3 of my kids have good character, and big hearts. I always knew I was meant to do something great in my life, I just had no idea it would be them.

I understand you, leanne. My sons are my 'best things'. Terrific young men. How I got this lucky, I'll never know.

jacqui--my son isn't much for calling, but he IM's me alot. He has met a girl at school and we like her SO much. We tease him that if anything should ever happen to their relationship--we're keeping HER. He knows that's a compliment to her, and laughs it off. But, since the girlfriend--less calls home. We consider that part of the normal course of things in life.

I have two biological children and one foster daughter graduating this year. Lord, I hope the ceremonies don't occur on the same night. We had that tough dilemma the evening of the girl's high school graduation, from different schools. Lately my 24 yr. old son is pushing my buttons. We're close, but I final told him, he shows respect, or stay at his appt. near campus. I've had that weepy feeling watching wee ones, knowing that phase was ending. I also must explore new horizons, but chronic severe PMS has reined me in. It's getting better, so I intend to volunteer. My resume looks like a mental patients, from the long years off to be with the kids. Particulary, I was fortunate enough to stay home, during the first three years, plus those turbulent teens. I wish my son had a girlfriend. He's afraid of rejection, which is ridiculous because he's truly gorgeous.

Chriscarol---sorry your son is pushing those buttons. We've had times like that in our house too. I guess my luck comes from the fact that their dad is a little overbearing--not bad, but he's the anxious type who's always on the edge of his seat about them and demands alot and can overreact to situations, that is till mom calms him down. That, I can tell you, has been a tough job for me. I have had to be the 'sane' one when I am feeling anything but sane. However the perks of this job is that in comparison, I end up looking like the 'good' parent, the advocate for the boys. I say that with all respect for their dad, and I always handle it in a way that shows respect for him and teach them respect, but they know....they see.... And they appreciate, especailly as they mature. So, I'm lucky there. Hubby can't help being who he is, but I think HE and the boys will be better off and happy when they are BOTH away at college and hubby and I can relax and see them when they visit. Hubby has not handled parenting well. If you knew his horrific parents, you could see why. They are the type that LOOK good to the world, but there;s a whole heck of a lot of dysfunction writhing around under the surface. His mother alone could have screwed up Ghandi if she'd raised him. So, I celebrate (to a certain extent) the fact that my boys are going out into the world and getting their freedom from us and being their own men. I've seen it's good for my oldest. I am also thinking of volunteering at the kids old school and some other places when DS#2 goes off to college, like you chris. I have always done things at their school anyway, but I'm hoping the littler kids can feel fun again. This is this son's first girlfriend. He is also very cute and tall and played football and we couldn't figure out why he didn't date much in HS. He didn't do prom or anything. Maybe your son just has to meet the right girl. This kid of ours has been SO shy up till now!