Boy are you in the right place. We know exactly how you feel. During school my daughter came home every weekend. I was so looking forward to summer. Now she has a boyfriend and she's spending half of the summer with him. It's a lonely feeling. Depression seems to a way of life for me now. I hope you come back often to share your feelings and hopefully we can all get through this together.

Welcome to the group. My youngest is going to college from home, but has emotionally cut himself off from us and rarely talks. My other two are out of the house although lately I have been seeing them a reasonable amount. My husband is a whole other issue, but I feel lonely a lot of the time. Sharing on here helps and I love the support people give me. I don't feel like I am the only one or that what I feel is wrong. Msg me anytime.

Yes, you are not alone. I'm right there with you, too! My youngest leaves in 3 days, and I am having constant panic attacks (for real), and don't know how I am going to deal with all this. It's so comforting hearing that other people are struggling, too. (Even though that sounds odd).

I just can't imagine what it's going to be like walking into this house Saturday evening knowing that he won't be living here anymore. OMG.

Keep posting so we can help one another!

Hi dmc! Some of your story sounds so familiar to me. I'm still at a loss and don't know who I am or will be anymore. My marriage is not great right now either -old issues coming up and new issues everyday it seems. I also have twin daughters (fraternal) going into their 2nd year of college. One is at home but is hardly home and acts like a rebellious teenager still. The one that I'm extremely close to and been missing all year has been home for the summer and well less than a week goes back to college. Now I'm in full OMG mode again and know what hell awaites me when she goes back to school. I work full time but not at a place I really enjoy. The tears have started falling once again. I dont have any advice to give as nothing I tried worked for me. Just wanted to say I know what it's like and you are so not alone in this.

Hi, I just joined tonight and feel like I have found the right place where people seem to understand exactly what I am going through. I just took my middle daughter to grad school really far away and she has been 7 hours away for the last 4 years so that has been hard. My youngest is home and a senior but does not like to be around me at all. My husband just left for business for 6 weeks but he is is distant when he is home. My oldest is across the country and I see her twice a year. I do not have family where I live.
I feel so lonely and just watch the clock tick away the day. At least work starts Mon. so that will help. I am trying to find hobbies but am not seeming to be interested in much. I always wanted to raise kids and now that is is just about over, I do not know what to do with myself.

nice to hear others in the same situation. My work offers free counseling services offsite. I called the insurance company but havent called the counselor yet to make an appointment. I guess I feel like I have been talking about my bad marriage for so long I need to make an instant change when I take my kid to school.

...Do not do what I did..eat!!!! Not only do I relate with what your going through...I don;t have a fulfilling job but I have 3 kids now on their own...a husband whose a wonderful man but we are so far apart....I've gained over 100 pounds...but I have 8 wonderful grand babies that I do get so much love from....Maybe some how we can all figure this out together!!!!!

Hi!
I'm new here, too, reaching out after putting my youngest on a plane Thursday night. She'll be starting her first year of college in Brooklyn, which is about an 11 hour plane ride from home. It was hard when both of her older brothers moved out to go to college, but at least they were in the same town where we live. I've had children in the house all of my adult life (there is an 11 year gap between my oldest and middle sons, but just two years between my middle son and my daughter) and been a single parent for most of that time. I consider myself fortunate to not be dealing with a bad marriage right now, in addition to my empty nest!
I've been trying to psyche up for this day since my daughter started high school, but I can't tell if it did any good. Last year, my kids warned me not to become the crazy cat lady. So far, I haven't taken in any strays. :)
I keep reminding myself that she left for the best of reasons, which helps a little. When I start to feel overwhelmed by emotions, I do something to "get my house in order." After having the two teens home for the summer, there is plenty of tidying up to do! I'm also blessed to have a people-intensive career that I love (high school counselor), so once Monday rolls around and I start helping others, the "new normal" may not feel so odd. And of course, prayer, Bible reading, and church give me strength.
Thank you for letting me share!

I'm new here too.. I live in an area where my family is 12 hours away.. then it has been just my twin girls and I for so many years.. My mom said get back into sewing..get busy.. that was what she did when I left for college. This is the same college that one of my girls is going to. The other one is 7 hours away. They both left last week, one on a plane, the other one drove with her friend. It does not help when I have PMS at the same time as this!! :-) I know I have done them right, but I feel I am being left behind.