Your not worthless, your just a Mom who loves her children. I'm going through the same exact feelings, I've been a At Home Mom of 4 Sons(26yrs,24yrs,23yrs & 19yrs) for 21 yrs. It very hard but I'm getting use to my Youngest who is going into his Jr. yr of College. I volunteer with two different organizations to keep busy. I'm here for you.
Be Blessed.

Find some free classes to go out. For instance, there is a free Art class near my home. Or volunteer, every state has something called, I have it here in NY, it's called "NY Cares". Just google (your state) Cares. They have a huge list of volunteering opportunities. The best one I did was volunteering to teach 1,2 and 3rd graders how to read. Another time we dealt out the food at a senior center. There's SO much to choose from. You have to go to one orientation in your state, it's well worth it. It keeps me sane. Loneliness is a terrible thing. You must push yourself to get out there!! The four walls are not going to help you.

Thank you I kind of been in a funk so house work has gotten behind I have been making goals of doing one thing a day to keep me busy. I am a softball coach and my youngest daughter last tournament was last weekend so very sad... but i am going continue to coach and help my girls get college scholarships I have gotten 9 girls into schools in last three years so that does make me sain... but the days r so long. I am taking a class one day a week and i think i am going start volunteering with foster kids.. IDk i have to get out of this depression and keep busy... thank you for the advice and caring comments... <3

It is definitely tough..... I also miss the chaos...and all the fabulous energy young people bring into our homes...It is hard and I thought I was prepared! but nothing could have prepared me for this....and I just recently realized that is what was going on for me! My twins are going into their Junior years....I guess they still sorta needed me in their freshman year....but sophomore year the big push away came....and I am still recovering with a lot of tears! You are not alone , please know there are alot of us wonderful parents out here missing their kids right along side you....God Bless!

Hi. I feel the same way.....lonely and depressed. I have 2 children, 1 who moved out 3 years ago. My daughter moved in with her boyfriend a few days ago. I had been perfectly fine, then the first day I had to myself without her, was awful. I was just crying out of the blue. She came over to get more items, and I could feel my eyes tearing up. I'm not a crier, so this is very odd for me and would have been for my daughter, as she's never seen me like that. I have always liked my 'alone time' and feel stressed if I didn't get it. My husband was not working for 3 months, so we were always together- too much time together actually -as I was off work for the summer, also. Then, my daughter was here, but she was gone off and on staying with her boyfriend. Now, on the same day, he went back to work, and she moved out leaving me with my 'free time' that I just HAD to HAVE. Now...............I'm feeling lonely, depressed, crying, guilty, etc. etc. I'm just not sure what is going on. My daughter is not far from me at all, and I will probably see her quite a bit, but that's not helping me mentally. Why am I sooooooo upset?? Why can't I have a conversation without feeling like I'm going to cry.. Sitting at the house alone is not helping. I do go back to work in a few weeks, so that should help. I do 'start' (monthly) next week, and this week before has always messed with me in some way, so maybe that's aggravating my mental state ?? Anyone have any advice on how to get out of this depressing state? Thank you!!

i amso rry and thankful for your responses advice no i went to store today and saw my daughters favorite snack and started bawling in store im trying keep busy i cant even go into their rooms praying for u all and if anything helps guys please let me know

Hello, I just joined this site today. I was reading through the posts, and feel just like all of you do. I'm having such a hard time getting through this. Our youngest Son moved out last year. We had been working about 6 hours away, and coming home on weekends. We had the bright idea to sell our home and move the 6 hours across state lines to be closer to our job. Then after buying a home close to our job, our Son ended up having some problems. On top of that our job started crashing. So not only could we not help our Son out, but he can't even come home. I am so lonely in this new place, and we have no family close by. All 3 of the kids live in our home town. It feels like I will never get to see them.
I keep thinking there has to be a reason why all of this is happening.
I am almost 53, and going through menopause also. I just keep thinking that I want to go home., but we don't even have a home there anymore.
I miss the memories, and I wish I could go into my kids rooms again.
There has to be a way to get through this.

I also am crying every day. Sometimes all day.

Hi - I'm in a similar situation. My three kids (and 4 year old grand-daughter) all moved out within 3 months of each another. I raised my kids on my own and we are a very close family. I feel sad, depressed, can't seem to make myself do anything around the house including eating well. I know being sad is a very normal reaction to children leaving the nest but I'm worried the depression is only getting worse as time goes on. I'm in touch with them on a daily basis but I can't help feeling guilty and lost without them. I'm on anti-depressants (have been for several years) but they don't seem to be helping much. I read somewhere that it can take a year to a year and a half to adjust!

Hopefully the depression will start easing when you do start to adjust. I am doing online therapy. One of the things my therapist has me working on is acceptance. At times I feel like I'm gaining some control, but when the lonely feelings hit it is horrible, which I'm sure is causing the anxiety and depression. I never even thought about how it would be when the kids grew up. I don't know why I never prepared for this. And why I thought moving farther away would be easy. Nothing about any of this is easy.

I'm the same... I can't function... I WANT MY BABY BACK! There is nothing that can help me beyond that... I am so proud of her and wish her the best and want her to have the best life... but I am lost without her... Is this the rest of my life? Crying everyday because she is not here? Intellectually, I am so happy for her... she has the courage and awesomeness to start her life... and of that I am proud and amazed and excited... but I am nothing without her... Her life begins and mine ends... I will be there to support her with all I can... But me? Me alone?... Well alone, I feel like I'm dying...

I took my daughter to move into the dorms today.?i just don't know what I'm going to do. I'm alone and just don't know how I'm going to get through this.

I am with you. My twins (boy/girl) are leaving for college and I'm a single parent. I have been making my whole life about them. I work more than a full time job and have had to move away from my friends due to financial stress. I'm actually afraid to be alone without them. I feel like there is no reason to live now. Worse, is that I had some rough times with my daughter and I'm afraid she never wants to come back. I know I have to let go and not calling or texting her is killing me

I'm dying here and feel your pain. The hurt is almost unbearable.

IT is so hard to believe how our different stories are so much the same. The pain is physical and it doesn't matter if you have another one at home. It is pure grief. So many people say, "well at least you have one more". It doesn't matter, We love so much as moms, and love them so differently. In fact it almost seems worse because I have to hide when I cry so he doesn't feel bad. Then add all of the hormonal stuff that is going along with it. It is one of the hardest things I have ever done... and no one in any of my circles has ever talked about it. And the ones who haven't gone through it yet, do not understand or as far as I can tell really care. We have been "that mom" for all those years, and it will be difficult to find that "new normal". Keep reaching out and talking about it. It definitely helps a little. I have found I am becoming codependent again in my relationships, which I have not had to deal with for years. This will be a process, but we have to Trust the process and hold on to the journey. The good news is I hear they do come back emotionally to us and it is so better than ever before. I pray God protects them and keeps them safe as they find their wings to fly!