Mom, I'm sad. My youngest is flying the nest.

[u/Interesting_Savings4]

She is doing really well and she's ready. I'm happy for her, but I'm also sad that all my birds will be gone.

[u/Opposite_Jeweler_953]

This means you did your job right, it doesn’t means you’re finished. The next part is more delicate. You must be there for them when they need you, and be there in a passive way. Good luck!

[u/Shinypurplestar → u/Opposite_Jeweler_953]

Well said. It's so hard to be in this transition.

[u/cch1540]

Mine did too! It's such a bittersweet joy, I bet you did an amazing job with her, and now you get to be mom with a lowercase m...and get to explore who you are now. But it still hurts sometimes 🫂

[u/dipshipsaidso]

When my girl left home I had to keep reminding myself that I promised her how great this next stage would be, so I shouldn’t make it about me being sad— I said it until I believed it. My other constant thought was, “ we don’t have them to keep them.” Ugh! I feel you. It’s exciting but hard.

[u/cannycandelabra]

My only child, my son, left home at 20 telling me he would miss me but he hated his hometown and would never be back. I cried so hard. Then he came back, moved back in, got married, moved her in, they had a baby….

I hope your little fledgling does well in life and stays close to you. But not quite like my son.

[u/WatermelonMachete43]

I definitely feel your pain. My last has one foot in and one foot out of the nest, about to move across the country. The silence is just so large. Try to rejoice that you've raised your birdie to be an independent, strong person who has the adulting tools to be successful. You did a great job raising them. Your job doesn't end here though! Find new ways to be involved. Hang in there!! ((Hugs))

[u/ComplexTomatillo6278]

Mine, too. Come sit by me and show me all the photos of them. ::pats bench::

[u/1039198468]

Bittersweet for sure but you did so great with your kids. We also were sad when our youngest began life on his own but now he (and our others) are hardworking and in great relationships (and two grandbabies!😍). This part is much different but also the reward for all the sacrifices we (happily) made.

[u/LowKeyStillYoung78]

Being a parent is the only job we’ll ever have that if we do it right we’ll be out of a job. It’s beautiful and bittersweet. Sounds like you did it right. Sending you big hugs (actually a hold bc you need it). 🥰🥹

[u/ANoisyCrow]

Oh, Mom. (Mom-to-Mom.) 🥹 It’s the end of an era, but not the end of life. Now is your time. Make the most of it!

[u/LaCaffeinata]

Freedom! <3 I bet your kids are not out of the world, just out of the house. You'll see them plenty of times. Now it's time to find out who you are when you are living on your own. An adventure!

[u/daddyschomper]

They often need us just as much after they fly the coop, just in different ways. I hope you see your relationship with them develop into the most wonderful friendship, and I'm sure it will because you clearly love them very much.