I see all kinds of empty nest couples travelling, exercising together etc. It definately must help to have a partner to share these years with.So nice that you have a great relationship with your son. It is so hard to see them go. Wish I was a third world mom in an extended family sometimes.....

It Is so hard to see them go...but I have to keep reminding myself that this is what we raised him to do. Become a man, go out in the world..."leave the nest". As he nears graduation I sometimes fear he will take a job far away from home. I am so proud of what he has achieved so far, but a part of me wants that little boy back.

I think being single or in a relationship that is not supportive does add to the heartache. When there is no one special in your life to share your feelings of grief, loss, depression, or whatever you maybe experiencing, you are left to deal with your lost all alone.

I became extremely close to my son because it was just the two of us for so long. Now that he is in college there is a huge void in my life and in my heart. I can certainly understand how you are feeling. It's probably the most difficult thing I've had to deal with besides my father's death; and I've had to deal with quite a bit.

I'm sure things will get better for both of us, but in the meantime I certainly feel your pain.

HuGs,
Miki

I have a nice husband but I was the one who was always with the kids. He was mostly clueless about their school stuff and didn'thave the ability to spend hours in the parks or arenas the way I did. Anyway,there is no doubt that we are all in the same boat here so at least we know we are not abnormal.

My belief regarding this is that single women have it much better by the fact that when you are not being supported by someone living under your roof by the same kinds of feelings, it only gets worse....not only do you have to keep yourself happy, now you have to keep someone else happy....with you....a person who is feeling depressed and lonely over the loss of communication and contact with their child....that is a huge event in a woman's life.....men seem to be used to being away much more because of societal norms.....so when the kids leave, they miss em, but the emptiness doesn't creep in the same way.....my husband likes to make me feel as if I am a clinging mother who can't let go if I discuss any feelings of abandonment.....as if now I have to pick up and find a new toy.....it is very resentful when your spouse does that, and many times I believe that if I were by myself, I would be at a much more peaceful place with it.....this is why I believe many marriages end when the kids leave home.....recently I can see how my husband refuses to admit that our oldest married son had used us as much as he could and now wants little time with us.....he makes it more about me than my son who is doing the rejection......I have always envied the fact that single women can be responsible for themselves and not another persons happiness, that is such a heavy task to put on a woman who is already dealing with major changes in her life....at a time when menopause most likely is happening......I'm not a fan of long term marriage as one can tell, but at this point, why bother with divorce