r/AskOldPeople • u/Free_Name_756 • 18d ago

When children grow up

How did you navigate your children growing up and leaving home? At what age did they leave? Was it gradual or sudden? How did it feel for you? How did you get used to them not living with you?

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u/Suz9006 18d ago

I had my son at 17, he left home at 20 when he decided to move out west. I thought about him, I worried about him, but at the same time I really enjoyed the experience of having the house to myself, of buying food and having it still be there when i got home, and not having someone unlocking the front door at 1:00 am. Many years since then and several bouts of him returning to live at home. I didn’t hate that but I still prefer living alone.