The heartbreak of adolescense

[Ringo1]

I remember the first time I got a glimpse of my newly independent child. We went to some Labor Day festival and I noticed that he couldn't keep up with me! I finally figured out - he didn't want to be seen with me. Boy, did that sting the first time.

But I remembered that I did the very same thing with my parents.

Tomorrow ~ he is graduating! Talk about empty nest syndrome. I could bawl my eyes out just thinking about it. I am glad I have a job to turn to when he leaves to attend college several hours away. Maybe I'll actually be good at it again!

It's hard, OP; that's all I can say. It's hard to let go.

[yodel]

Originally Posted by ukiyo-e

The town we lived in when my son was in junior high didn't provide school buses, so when he was in 7th grade (it was a new town and school for him) I picked him up after school since I was working a flexible schedule. I usually stood in front of the school with some other parents and he'd come out and meet me, then we'd walk to the car together.

One day he announced that I didn't need to wait in front of the school anymore, but just park around the corner and he would find me. I actually took it as a good sign that he was feeling independent.

Fast forward to when he was in college and actually invited me to travel to hear his music recitals and concerts, and introduced me to his professors.

Take a deep breath - this too shall pass and you'll once again be in your son's good graces, though in yet a different role. Now when my son calls or comes to visit it's like having a friend here.

Thank you! I hope we will have very close relationships when my kids are grown.

My son is feeling so independent that he's been asking to go into Manhattan by himself (well with a friend). That's a little too independent yet for his age I think (we live in the boroughs of NYC).

[yodel]

Originally Posted by Ringo1

I remember the first time I got a glimpse of my newly independent child. We went to some Labor Day festival and I noticed that he couldn't keep up with me! I finally figured out - he didn't want to be seen with me. Boy, did that sting the first time.

But I remembered that I did the very same thing with my parents.

Tomorrow ~ he is graduating! Talk about empty nest syndrome. I could bawl my eyes out just thinking about it. I am glad I have a job to turn to when he leaves to attend college several hours away. Maybe I'll actually be good at it again!

It's hard, OP; that's all I can say. It's hard to let go.

He will be back in the summers and holidays at least. Best wishes to you - I feel for you. Again, my plan is to get a pet at that time.

I remembered being embarrassed by my parents too, but I just didn't want to admit it!

[mlj1225]

My DS is 17, will be 18 in a few months and we have had some rough times over the last couple of years. Yes, the teenaged years can be hard, sad, crazy, fun, and chaos all rolled up together! You (we) will get through it as others have posted.

My friends who have 'been there' all tell me that MY son will come back to me... I just have to be patient.

He and I have good and bad days, but the good days are AMAZING. I see the man that he will become (is becoming) and it brings happy tears to my eyes. Letting go and letting him grow and make his own decisons, both good and bad, has been hard.

Hang in there OP!