Moving on....

Last month my two (yes, two!) oldest children moved out. It's just so weird. It's something I've looked forward to for a long time. I mean, you have a child, raise that child, and, hopefully, teach that child how to be an adult, and then they're an adult and they finally move out and you're confused at your feelings about it. Shouldn't I be jumping for joy? And since they moved out within 5 days of each other, it's hard to distinguish between all the feelings coming at once. Is this one because he moved out? Is that one because she moved out? I'm not sure.

What I do know, however, is the house is much quieter and much more calm. Sometimes it's eery, but mostly just good. Food stays in the fridge longer. I only have to buy half the milk I used to. There's so much less tension (pretty sure that's because he moved out). Fewer items left laying around. Fewer dishes to wash.

I do know that he is figuring out how to adult. He is figuring out his budget, his time management, cooking skills, living alone, working, cleaning (well, I'm not sure about that one yet, I've seen his apartment). He wants to do it on his own. For this, I am so thankful!

I also know that she has had the opportunity to change her lifestyle and food choices. She is training for a tri-athalon, eating gluten and mostly dairy free, and getting outside much more often. Many of her medical issues could disappear just by her losing weight. I'm so thankful for the relatives she's staying with for encouraging her and challenging her and helping her with those things I could not help her with.

As for the three that are still home. I'm trying to enjoy them and spend more time with them. I'm not doing a very good job at that, but at least it's on my mind and I know I need to do it. They have been great at helping around the house and taking care of each other. The now 'oldest' has been extremely helpful and much less cruel. He is generally willing to do whatever task we ask him to help with. He has really stepped up and stepped in. And for this, I am so thankful!

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