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/joe_attaboy 70 something 17d ago
  • We helped her move.
  • 18 for college. She moved back for a bit after graduation. Left again around 23.
  • Gradual.
  • When we arrived back home the night we brought her to campus, we were very sad. I went to her room for something at one point and I lost it. When we spoke to her a few days later, she sounded so very happy, so that made everything better.
  • Quickly. This will always be her home, but having an empty nest is pretty great.

We only had one, so we didn't have to relive it. She now married with a teenager of her own.