Our - just turned 13 year old - son has been away a few times and it does sure feel different around the house when he's not here, Elanorgold. I have thought about how quiet it will be when he leaves home and how much I'll miss him - even though when he's away for a few days it feels like a nice break for all.

Enjoy this time for you, time for you as a couple, time for flexibility and less responsbility Elanorgold and then give your son a big welcome home hug.

Thanks Myst, I am. : ) We watched a 1934 movie last night, staring my Proust questionnaire match Claudette Colbert, and Clarke Gable. It was quite entertaining.

It is weird Elanorgold-I'm just getting used to the fact that my 20 year old is often not home nights.

Yes my kids have taken trips without me but I do miss them when they are away. But am also looking forward to some more "me" time at home.

Enjoy and he'll be back before you know it.

I have heard that when they are in their teens, parents are afraid that the kids will grow up and leave home.  When they are in their twenties, parents are afraid that they won't. 

I remember when my kids were babies - we went to visit my sister and the husbands volunteered to watch the kids so we could have a day to ourselves.  We hit the malls - shopping without having a stroller to manage while hanging on to a toddler.  Being able to look at the merchandise - having time to try on outfits just for the hell of it - stopping for lunch.  And by mid-afternoon turning to my sister and saying 'don't you miss the kids?'   

School-aged and sometimes they would both be gone to friend's or cousins for a night.  I remember having a tent in the backyard and Seelergirl inviting two girls - sisters - to spend the night.  The mother phoned, almost breathless with excitement - they both could come?  was I sure it was alright?  could I manage?  Then she sighed with relief - "Then Bob and I are going to the movies, and we may stop for a snack afterwards."  

Teens, and they are gone for longer periods.   It's been years now since one or the other has actually lived here although Seelerboy keeps his stuff in the basement and uses this as his home base when back on a holiday.  We keep a spare bed for the grandchildren to slepp over.

The thing I've learned through these life stages is to enjoy them while they are here, and enjoy the quiet and freedom when they aren't.  

: ) Yeah.

I do remember that too Elanorgold - when my husband & I took a trip & left the kids with Grannie & Grandpa - we kept looking at our watches - oh, I wonder if they're having their nap now?  oh - I wonder if they've finished dinner?  oh - I wonder if they're tucked into bed yet?   That parenting does give such amazing structure as you say.   Today I watched as a neighbour headed off with 3 little ones & a dog - to explore the park I suppose, and felt a little pang of missing those days too. 

Me and my brother would periodically stay with my great aunts for a week or so in the summer. Mom once told me that she knew immediately when my brother was gone due to how quiet it was, but with me she had to stop and ask herself if I was gone or in my room reading a book or something.