Miss my kids and they are right here
I have four children. At one point, I had three of their little bodies on my lap anytime I sat down. Now they are teenagers and three of them are boys which means most physical contact has ended and so has the ease of communication. We have healthy relationships and I know this is part of the process but I miss them so much. I feel empty sometimes and a physical ache, if that makes sense. I know I’m still a mom and they need me, just in different ways but my heart hasn’t changed. I feel like I’m a mom with the same amount of love to give but no real recipients. They are good to me. They are amazing young men. I just really miss them and they are right down the hall.
I feel the same way, but my children are all grown with their own families and very busy lives. I miss them all so much (four sons and a daughter), and now have six beautiful little grandchildren to miss as well. All I can suggest is try to find some interests of your own, keep busy, take good care of yourself, and be there for them when they reach out to you. I feel like by taking care of myself I am saving them some serious stress, so that is helpful and good all the way around for all of us. If they don't have to worry about 'Mom' then they can concentrate on their own lives, with one less concern. I do try to stay in touch as much as possible, but it helps when I can go visit in person. Which, hopefully, will be very soon! Oh, and try to be grateful always, and thank goodness they are good kids!!!! ❤❤❤
@IntrinsicallySad
This is the pain of being a parent: they grow up and fly the nest to live their own lives. That emptiness is a real thing. Once you filled your days with caring for them and now they are big enough to care for themselves and we feel left behind or forgotten.
The teen years are tough because they're trying to figure out who they are and who they want to become and some don't want any interference in that process, even if it's support you're offering. That's especially hurtful but it's not meant to be, it's just a part of their transition from kid-hood to adulthood.
OliveLime has it right: take this opportunity to care for yourself, rediscover old hobbies or find new ones, and most of all, continue to invest in your own mental health, all of which can help you through this. Your kids love you and even if they wander in search of their future, they'll know you're always there to be their biggest cheerleader in life.
My oldest daughter has moved 300 miles away and I miss her like a physical pain . Thanks to Covid we haven’t seen her or the two grandkids for a year and now she doesn’t seem to want to come down . She says she is happy but is having to see a councillor because of mental health problems. I don’t drive so my husband has to do it all and it’s a long and difficult journey which he doesn’t want to do any more .