Damn this parenting lark!

[srebbe64]

I assumed that as my kids got older I'd worry less about them. Seems the opposite is actually true - beware would-be parents, if you take the plunge it's a life sentence!

My eldest (18) is about to leave the nest - he's going on a gap year (India, Australia, NZ, Honduras and USA) and then he's off to university for four years. Feel pretty choked to be honest! A mixture of 'concern' and the knowledge that it's 'the end of an era'.

And my youngest daughter (11), while on holiday last week said, 'you don't need to hold my hand anymore Dad'.

All normal I know, but it seems the ties from a parent to their kids is somewhat greater than that from the kids to the parents (if you know what I mean!)

[E31Shrew]

its pretty awful. We have 3 daughters, 21, 19 and 14. When the eldest went to uni 3 years ago it was bad enough but she was followed last year by the middle one. The house, with just the third one at home, is like a morgue but its fantastic when they're all at home
Eldest has been to Mongolia and Malaysia [aaaagh!] and the middle one decided the day after she had passed her test last year, to drive 150 miles with 3 friends in the car, to Anglesey and back....
When does the stress end?
Hugs from the youngest one ended this year also.

Edited by E31Shrew on Friday 14th August 00:11

[Piersman2]

srebbe64 said:

I assumed that as my kids got older I'd worry less about them. Seems the opposite is actually true - beware would-be parents, if you take the plunge it's a life sentence!

My eldest (18) is about to leave the nest - he's going on a gap year (India, Australia, NZ, Honduras and USA) and then he's off to university for four years. Feel pretty choked to be honest! A mixture of 'concern' and the knowledge that it's 'the end of an era'.

And my youngest daughter (11), while on holiday last week said, 'you don't need to hold my hand anymore Dad'.

All normal I know, but it seems the ties from a parent to their kids is somewhat greater than that from the kids to the parents (if you know what I mean!)

Remember when you left home? Did you give two hoots about your parent's feelings?

I didn't.

And now my daughter is nearly 17.. I know it won't be long before she starts to spread her wings at college, then uni.

I don't expect her to even consider the feelings of her mother or myself.

But then that's the way it should be !

[Flanders.]

E31Shrew said:

its pretty awful. We have 3 daughters, 21, 19 and 14. When the eldest went to uni 3 years ago it was bad enough but she was followed last year by the middle one. The house, with just the third one at home, is like a morgue but its fantastic when they're all at home
Eldest has been to Mongolia and Malaysia [aaaagh!] and the middle one decided the day after she had passed her test last year, to drive 150 miles with 3 friends in the car, to Anglesey and back....
When does the stress end?
Hugs from the youngest one ended this year also.

Edited by E31Shrew on Friday 14th August 00:11

Fair play to the middle one for having the balls (or not) to drive all that way after her test . Have you turned her into a mini PH?

[E31Shrew]

Managed to get her on the insurance for wifeys Alfa 147 but the only feature she liked was the ipod connection. Weird

[Puggit]

Piersman2 said:

Remember when you left home? Did you give two hoots about your parent's feelings?

I didn't.

They'd sent me to boarding school for 10 years - going to uni was just an extension of this.

I had zero guilt!

[escargot]

I too had no guilt whatsoever.

However, as a soon-to-be dad, I suspect that you've just got to try and make every moment count.

[BoRED S2upid]

Piersman2 said:

srebbe64 said:

I assumed that as my kids got older I'd worry less about them. Seems the opposite is actually true - beware would-be parents, if you take the plunge it's a life sentence!

My eldest (18) is about to leave the nest - he's going on a gap year (India, Australia, NZ, Honduras and USA) and then he's off to university for four years. Feel pretty choked to be honest! A mixture of 'concern' and the knowledge that it's 'the end of an era'.

And my youngest daughter (11), while on holiday last week said, 'you don't need to hold my hand anymore Dad'.

All normal I know, but it seems the ties from a parent to their kids is somewhat greater than that from the kids to the parents (if you know what I mean!)

Remember when you left home? Did you give two hoots about your parent's feelings?

I didn't.

And now my daughter is nearly 17.. I know it won't be long before she starts to spread her wings at college, then uni.

I don't expect her to even consider the feelings of her mother or myself.

But then that's the way it should be !

Hate to be the bearer of bad news chap but at 17 shes probably been doing that for many years.

[markh1]

I have two stepsisters which are the same age as me and when all went to uni at the same time my dad and stepmum rejoiced at having peace and quiet! Just think of all the quality time you will be able to have with your wife!...If that what you want