Oh... and I also got a Pomeranian. :) She helps a lot! Yes, you have to find your "identity" again. And maybe get a puppy or kitten to love. It worked for me.

I agree with Imsosad - why does this process of sending a child to college seem so much easier for others I know?? My only is leaving in 2 weeks and I am seriously functioning on auto-pilot. I told myself this morning that I have to start caring about other things (again? for the first time) - like MY JOB and my guy and my house and ummm what is a hobby? lol I feel pathetic sometimes but hearing from you girls is so helpful. We will make it! I am giving myself some time to grieve and just watch movies when I'm sad, but there will be a cutoff date TBD:) Please share your strategies to cope. Oh, and I appreciate the story you tell, Jaime Lynn, none of us want a Steven:( So proud of my girl going off.... let's all remind ourselves that our kids need us to be strong and proud and supportive and the alternative is not really an option.

DogLover -- I'm a dog lover, too! You don't happen to live in Michigan do you? Oakland County? I know this is a long shot, but it would be so wonderful to find empty-nest mothers like myself who live near me.

Thank you JaimeLynne. I have joked about the bum in my basement. I don't want that. I want him to soar.

I have 2 boys 23 and 21. Being a mother is my greatedt accomplishment in life. We did so much together and I dedicated all of me to raising them to be great human beings. All i ever wanted in life was to be a good mother. When my youngest started his final year in highschool my marriage fell apart. I grieved over a lost marriage and my kids moving on to college. This was 4 years ago. My heart aches still. I dont see them as much as Id like. They have done wonderful and i am so proud. I miss being needed. I miss the family unit. The biggest mistake made.in my marriage was putting all pf my focus on my boys nd being a grest mother and not focusing enough on the marriage. We were both to blame. I am now trying to have a different grown up relationship with them. Its very difficult as i cry alot. I miss them so much. I have guilt for not keeping the family together but i mist get over that. It wasnt only me. My focus now 8s to rebuild a healthy grown up relationship with them. One day at a time everyone. Hugs to you and be gentle with yourself.

I was relating to meganh822 and feeling some comfort around shared experiences with grief over kids leaving... my heart is broken and I can't stop crying... then I read Yard Egg's reply... which was lacking in compassion, sensitivity, and utterly ill timed. I'm sorry meganh. I don't think your post deserved that.

I just have to say that as a new member of this group I am disappointed by the insensitivity shown by your remark by Yard Eggs. I too have a son. He is grown and living at home but I miss the days when he was young. We are extremely close but I don't think that makes the relationship sick. When someone is seeking support and taking the risk of reaching out in pain, I would hope that we can all be tolerant.

I understand how you feel. I was a single mom and raised my son essentially by myself and we have a very close bond. He is a senior in high school and I swear feels like I blinked and i had just brought him home from the hospital. The advice I have been getting is , let go and know that you have raised a strong, confident, self reliant child and that it is naturally harder on the parents than on the kid. The kids will be too busy at school with classes, clubs, sports, new friendships/relationships and don't also need the stress of worrying about how their parents are coping. I agree just hug your child and make your time together special as he is groiwng up and beginning on a new journey.