February 12 @ 12:06 pmSeasons in life at least. I spent the weekend with my daughter Lindsey, we had a good time. Besides seeing Terabithia we mostly just hung out, though I did cook a couple of special meals at her request. She’s coming over again next weekend, hopefully the weather will clear up a bit so we can go to the zoo or do something else outside for a change.
Matt was supposed to come over this past weekend but it didn’t happen. He wanted to go see a movie instead. With a… a… girl. I can make light of it, but honestly I struggle with the notion that my “little buddy” is very nearly a man. Do men struggle with the “empty nest” concept? I mean, technically my nest *is* empty except for weekend visits and vacations.
Is it Matt growing up that bothers me, or the implications that has for my own life? I’m not sure I want to examine that question too closely… especially with Lindsey not too far behind him. Maybe I’ll have to grow up too.
February 12 @ 4:12 pm
Even aunts like me struggle with the “empty nest” concept. Until my nephew was around 14, we used to spend a lot of time together, and almost every Friday night we’d meet up over my parents house to play games or just hang out. He was like the son I was never lucky enough to have, but at the same time, he was like a little brother too. When those Friday nights started getting fewer and fewer, I thought my mom would be the one to have the hard time adjusting to it, but it was me. He’s 21 now and got married last year, and I still miss the special closeness we used to share.
I don’t think it’s so much that you’ll have to grow up, as it is that your focus will have to change, and possibly that you’ll have to face things about yourself that you were able to avoid because you were too busy bringing up your kids.
Or not
February 12 @ 4:38 pm
Wow… a… girl??? And so it begins! Yes, Dad, you might have to grow up just a little bit… but you can still be young at heart!
M~
February 12 @ 7:38 pm
It’s a difficult transition from “I used to” to “what are you going to do?” When R. first started to date I liked to show them my gun collection “This is a 54 calibre flintlock pistol. It throws a chunk of lead about as big as yout thumb….”
February 13 @ 8:28 am
I’m not sure I’m strong enough to have girls. You’re only given what you can handle, right?
February 13 @ 5:01 pm
I don’t know… I’ve read that some people say the teen years drag on forever. lol
I’m also betting you deal with the empty nest quite well, as you’ve already established quality time with them.
~S
February 14 @ 5:56 am
you know what it is…. don’t you ?
Once the dating starts…
When we see them growing up and maturing…
We wonder and worry about them. Are they prepared to handle the big world out there. Have we taught them everything…
We know what the World and Adult life holds…
I am not ready for my Son or Daughter to get there yet. But it will happen sooner then later. My Son will be 18 in June. And I am scared to death for him.