Moms with graduated kids

I am sitting here listening to Christmas music and getting so choked up! This is my son's last Christmas as my "baby" as he'll be 18 in April and graduate in June. Then he'll be moving to Reno to go to college. How did you all handle it? I am getting so teary over the littlest of Christmas songs. It makes me think of when he was my little boy and now he's a man and I'm getting SO sad.

Paula said:

How did you all handle it?

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with lots of sadness. I tried to stop thinking in the "this is the last time that we'll have Jacob home for _____ " mode, but it is hard. He wasn't home for halloween or picking out a pumpkin and won't be home for his birthday, etc. It does make me sad, but I have to remember to cherish what time I do have with him. I am really close to Jacob and it just tore me up when he went off to college. He doesn't call as much as I wish he did. Doesn't text me as much as I wish he did. Etc. Our relationship has definitely distanced. We only see him about 1 weekend a month now. Luckily he gets 3 weeks off for winter break and will be home in a few days! Like I said, I just try to focus on enjoying what I do get!

I
just
can't
think
about
it.

I'm tearing up just reading your post.

It is really hard, but gets a little easier as time goes on. Grant isn't so far away, but like Julie said, they do change and the relationship changes as they are living their own lives. My biggest adjustment was going to church without him. For a few weeks, I pretty much cried through the whole Mass.

We had seen him a few times before Thanksgiving, but he had not been home to spend the night until then. The only thing that comforts me is that he LOVES college and is doing fabulous. He is where he is supposed to be right now. I just have to keep telling myself that.

Grant will be home a week from Wed. for about a month. He's having his wisdom teeth out on the 16th, so he'll be my baby again for a few days.

It gets easier I think. I actually thought my daughter would be staying at home and going to a local college to save the expenses of living on her own but things did not go the way I thought they would so those "last" moments were not as bad for me. Now when my daughter actually started packing it was hard and when she moved the very last of her stuff out it was super hard (I cried alot). She is only a few miles from home though (like 18ish) so we can see each other alot and she texts me all the time and calls alot too. I miss seeing her everyday like I used to but as time goes on it does get a whole lot easier.

Gah. Y'all are breaking my heart. We're sitting here arguing about what to do for Christmas, and my son will be 16 1/2. One more Christmas with him at home, then he'll be visiting for the holidays.

Seriously. *tear*

I know my DD will be turning 18 in April and graduating in June too...hopefully she will stay close to home for a year and go to a community college~ so I am hoping to at least have her here one more year~

Thanks everyone!! I knew you'd be able to make me feel better. And to the moms making their way towards this, cherish the moments you have with your kids. I'll be going through this again next year with my daughter.

Julie, I like your suggestion of not thinking of the "This is his last... at home" I'm going to try and think that way from here on out.

Zakk will be in Reno, which is a five hour drive from here. So, it's close enough to go up and visit him on weekends with some planning on both parts. I am super happy for him and know that he'll do well - I'll just miss the dickens out of him.

it's not easy being the one away from home either... just saying. :]