<p>I’m looking forward to not having to deal the the public-school bureaucracy - not that there isn’t bureaucracy at college but at least it is a little bit removed. </p>
<p>A chance for my younger daughter to have her “time in the sun”.</p>
<p>I second the, “what’s for dinner?” </p>
<p>Years ago, I told the kids that before they asked me that question, they have to pay me a compliment! </p>
<p>So it morphed into, “Mom, you look beautiful today…what’s for dinner?”.</p>
<p>I’ll miss the compliment. ;
</p>
<p>I’ll be glad when they are out of my pocket book. Though I have 3 completely out of the house, one nearly out with just one left, I still find myself covering some of their costs, because most of them do not make enough to join us on some things unless we do, and find themselves short in a lot of areas. I really wish they were completely independent as I was a few years out of college. My parents got more from me than I did from them in terms of money at that time. It’s not happening here. </p>
<p>I did not miss the bedroom which looked like a bomb went off in it. </p>
<p>cpt, our D is officially off the payroll as of 3 months ago (well, almost. We told her we’d pay her health insurance and auto insurance for a year). It’s wonderful. :)</p>
<p>intimacy with wifey … wish me luck</p>
<p>Our youngest is leaving to go back to school this Saturday. I will NOT miss the piles of soccer shoes and junk around the house. I love that when he is at school, I can pick up the house before I go to bed and IT IS STILL CLEAN when I come down in the morning. I will once again have cash in my purse- nice! There will be some available space in my refrigerator, and the left-overs I planned on for dinner will still be there when I go to get them. </p>
<p>Overall, I will miss him more than not. I love having all of his friends drop by and fixing spur of the moment meals for all of them. I love his corny sense of humor and great smile. But the house will be clean…</p>
<p>My H and I had conflicts over kid stuff. Curfews, homework, what was expected of them… Now no more daily conflicts, it’s great. </p>
<p>Our time is ours alone. I’m not annoyed when he plays golf 4 times a week. </p>
<p>I miss the little buggers but I also love my empty nest too. H and I get along better now, truth be told. </p>
<p>At present, I’d say nothing…I’ll take the extra towel laundering, picky eating , using my bathroom over what waits for me when she is gone.</p>
<p>I’m with Deb922. Son just left on Wednesday and I just remarked to my H last night, that even though it wasn’t as bad this summer having him home as it was last summer, it’s nice just not having him here and we are back to our “new normal” we have become accustomed to since he went away to college 3 years ago. </p>
<p>I really have to hand it to those who have kids back in the house after they have graduated. No way that is going to happen in this house. </p>
<p>^^ That was our position too, eb (and D’s). Luckily, she and her boyfriend are now settled in another city, both with decent jobs, so it looks like we dodged the bullet. But they stayed with us for a couple of weeks in April en route to their new city, and it was weird. She didn’t exactly feel like a houseguest, but she also didn’t feel like a resident. Don’t get me wrong, we very much enjoyed having them. But there are only two people who live here now.</p>
<p>Loved reading this! Looks like I’m not the only parent who won’t miss the long hair in the drain, in the sink, on the floor, and on the shower walls or the dripping faucets and lights kept on with nobody there. </p>
<p>DD just left for her semester abroad and a 12.5 hr time difference. She probably won’t have an internet connection at her homestay, so at best we will be communicating via email. It is still better than when I went abroad, and communication with friends and family was strictly via mail.</p>
<p>I said D1 was home, at least for a month or so, while she starts her new job. I just learned this plan may last a year more. Yes, it changes patterns here. But the new boyfriend thing has changed her so much- it’s a miracle. She voluntarily cleans (especially when he’s expected,) gives super hugs, offers to get things we need, when she is out- and is slowly quitting the torment about the condition of the bathroom. </p>
<p>So, my idea this is all a period of evolution is (at least temporarily) working out. I find myself glad we’re under the same roof, for us to experience this together. When she does go, I’ll be able to handle that, too. </p>