He's Leaving Home...Bye Bye

[crunchymomofmany]

My oldest son, 16, has graduated from our humble homeschool and is leaving for Texas in the morning.

I'm excited for him, but very sad...

I wasn't ready for him to leave so early (although I suppose one is never really ready).

I will miss seeing his scruffy head at the computer and going to his soccer games. Did I do enough for him?

He's smart and ready to go. I'm proud of him. But I'll miss him! UGH...I'm feeling displaced.

[PikkuMyy]

Where is he off to?

[spruce]

, mama. I can only imagine.

I'm sure you've given him a wonderful start in life and he'll do well with all the lessons you've helped him learn and the strengths you've given him.

love, penelope

[milkmommie]

Oh, boy You must be very proud of him!
My oldest ds is turning 16 tomorrow. I'm dreading when he leaves home.

[neostudded]

: nothing can prepare us I guess

[Satori]

Originally Posted by PikkuMyy

Where is he off to?

ummm yeah, that. He's 16, that is not old enough imnsho to be out on ones own. Even if he's going off to college thats to young for such responsibility

[Nathan1097]

DBF is having problems with this, too. Although my kids are still young, his youngest is 18 and off to College on Sunday! Its not easy for him to adjust. I wasn't around when his eldest moved away, but I think its more a matter of his youngest and now he's an empty-nester- plus, he was particularly attached to her.

[crunchymomofmany]

Originally Posted by PikkuMyy

Where is he off to?

He's going to Austin! I'm sure he'll have a wonderful time...I'm a little jealous, too, I think! Just for the exciting time in one's life when it seems like anything is possible!

[crunchymomofmany]

Originally Posted by Satori

ummm yeah, that. He's 16, that is not old enough imnsho to be out on ones own. Even if he's going off to college thats to young for such responsibility

Well, I don't know who decided that! Certainly, I think it depends on the person. And it's arbitrary rules decided by people who think this way that led me to homeschool my kids to begin with!

But if it makes you feel any better - he's not just going to show up in Texas with nowhere to go. He has a a friend (with a mom living at home) to stay with and will be "looked after" as it were...

I was just posting out of melancholy - I certainly didn't mean to open myself up to personal attacks while I was doing it - is there a blinkie thing for kicking a person when they're down?

[kate3]

My oldest son, 16, has graduated from our humble homeschool and is leaving for Texas in the morning.

How exciting for your son! How sad/excited you must be! What are his plans? Is this a short summer trip or is he relocating permanently?

You must be very proud. I would have never been able to leave home at 16, find a job, support myself, be independent, etc. I hope he has a wonderful time.

[dawningmama]

Just think, though, he can do all the leg work ans show you the coolest places in Austin when you go visit! I hear Austin is an awesome time.

I'll probably feel similarly when my kids leave the nest. Part proud, part sad, and a tiny bit envious because I remember that feeling and excitment being on the precipice of adulthood, the world being my oyster and all that.

[ryansma]

My little guy is only 2 1/2 but I know it won't be long before he is off too. Be proud that you have prepared him well mama!

[rhubarbarin]

Originally Posted by Satori

ummm yeah, that. He's 16, that is not old enough imnsho to be out on ones own. Even if he's going off to college thats to young for such responsibility

I think this is just silly. Plenty of people I know left home or went to college at 17. Does one year make them capable of responsibility in your eyes? Do you think kids who are bright and move through school more quickly should be held back until they are 18 and therefore ready to do things on their own? Come on now.

[TexasMum]

He will do great and it sounds like he has a wonderful foundation to start on. Great job. I love Austin. I live in Dallas and I try to get down there as much as possible. It's gonna be a great place for him to mature into a man with lots of culture at every turn. I sat there in the window eating lunch by myself in downtown Austin once and I spotted a man in a red sequin cocktail dress standing on a fire hydrant. He stood on it, perfectly still for the entire length of my meal and I'm sure remained there long after. It was nice to be in a city where no one said a word to him but simply aknowledged him and kept walking.

[PoppyMama]

That was probably Leslie. He ran for Mayor too. He hangs out at Bouldin Creek coffeehouse and eats everyones leftovers in case you want another sighting.

This must be incredibly bittersweet for the OP. Have you heard "Born to the Breed" by Judy Collins. That song was on a childrens compilation my kids had when they were little and it gave me that bittersweet feeling. It will be OK and he will be fine. hugs.

[alima]

Originally Posted by rhubarbarin

I think this is just silly. Plenty of people I know left home or went to college at 17. Does one year make them capable of responsibility in your eyes? Do you think kids who are bright and move through school more quickly should be held back until they are 18 and therefore ready to do things on their own? Come on now.

In the culture I come from, 18 and still unmarried and/or living at home means there's something wrong with you 16 is pretty average for leaving the nest. Both my brothers were out of the house by 15, both put themselves through college and both are now highly responsible professionals. I left home at 16, and most of my friends left around the same age. It's not completely unheard of

[Angierae]

What you wrote about him leaving on your blog made me cry. I'm sure you're right and he is going to be a huge success. I'm sorry for your pain in letting him go. I know I will never be ready with my children.

Hope everything went well this morning at the airport.

[thiemori]

I'm sorry mamma. I know you're gonna miss him. My 10 and 8 yr old are playing down the road where I can't see them and I'm sad and feel like crying cause theyre getting so grown. Gosh, one day that'll be me.
hugs
Ruthie

[paquerette]

Congrats on doing an excellent job, mama. : I'm sure he'll do wonderful out there.

It wasn't so long ago even in the US that a 16 yo was a man or a woman and expected to take on full adult responsibility. How quickly society forgets!

[AngelBee]