my son left school today

[nikiwitch]

he has a place at collge doing mechanics, he has never really got on at his school, he has mild learning difficulties and got frustrated, causing some behavioural probs, nothing too serious but like Janeyo said, after work experience he knew he wanted to be a mechanic and did a work placement throuh e2e. He wont get many of his gcse's, so I found him a course where he does mechanics and core skills as well. Still struggling to come to terms with my baby almost being grwn up, especially after he came home from a youth club and shown me a bag full of birth control items he had been given, and said he doesnt want to come on holiday with us next year - guess who is going to stay at his nans house then!

[janeyo]

My OH tells me his mum and dad were quite OK with him having girlfriends to stay at the house. My mother was not quite the same (is it different for girls?!) and I am already dreading the 'can she stay over mum'? I have 2 boys.

I hope your sone does well on his course - it is great when they KNOW what they want to do (realistically) and don't expect to win Britain's Got Talent or win Big Brother or be the next David Beckham.....

[julesapple]

Time Flies....

....a few years ago at Christmas, through Friends Reunited, I got an email out of the blue from my first serious boyfriend. He was two years older than me. He lives in Australia now with his wife and two young daughters.

He was telling me that his oldest daughter was starting school in January (the main intake time in Oz) and that he couldn't belive how fast the time had flown....I was totally gobsmacked as my oldest child was just starting a four year MA Chemistry course at York Uni!! That was really scary

My DD leaves college this term after three years, my second son is taking his GCSE's next year and the third son is half way through secondary school.

Where have the years gone? Seems like two minutes since the oldest started school, and now he's starting to teach!

Despite the years flying by, I don't feel any different inside.

Jules

[adamS]

Don't Worry, We didn't really 'do' the whole family thing, but now that I'm down south, I call home for a chat with mum at least 4 times a week! and as Hilary says, mum and dad double up as the big yellow self storage company! Mum hates it , but the flat is pretty small! if anything, Uni/college will bring you closer, and I'm sure they will make you proud in the way the react and act towards others! all the best for the results !

[Nicos]

Awww...I have a piccie somewhere of my son on his first day looking ever so tiny.....and one of his last day just about to get into his car

[Alison]

Why would you be sad that your child (who is no longer a child if you see what I mean...) has, under your guidance, grown up to be an independant young adult. I remember my mum saying as I left home that she was proud of us all and that we could all manage our own lives and didn't have to rely on anybody (herself included) anymore as she felt that this was one of the most important things she could do as a parent. I'm sure she missed as being there but if you have a good relationship your kids will visit / phone etc. Celebrate and see it as a successful part of your life.

[miffy]

It is so scary how quickly they grow up, your relationship changes with them though and that is good. My son is growing into a fabulous young man, he just turned 18. The roles seem to be reversing, he pats me on the head as he is a good foot and a half taller than me now, 'there, there little miff' he says!!
He can cook, helps up the lottie, tells wicked jokes is fab to take shopping as he encourgages me to spoil myself. It is hard as they grow and start to find their own feet and seem to need you less, however from my own experience i can say that when the chips are down only mum will do. I do feel for you as i felt the same.

[FionaH]

Why would you be sad that your child (who is no longer a child if you see what I mean...) has, under your guidance, grown up to be an independant young adult. I remember my mum saying as I left home that she was proud of us all and that we could all manage our own lives and didn't have to rely on anybody (herself included) anymore as she felt that this was one of the most important things she could do as a parent. I'm sure she missed as being there but if you have a good relationship your kids will visit / phone etc. Celebrate and see it as a successful part of your life.

Very sound points Alison, when my lads take their place in the world, as they are starting too, I will consider it a job well done

[jackie j]

My OH tells me his mum and dad were quite OK with him having girlfriends to stay at the house. My mother was not quite the same (is it different for girls?!) and I am already dreading the 'can she stay over mum'? I have 2 boys.

I have four boys and they never asked if a girl coud stay over it was me who would suggest it, if you dont want them to sleep in the same room just make a room available for her. I must admit the boys had moved out and only brought long term gf's home to stay after they had moved in together. My daughter aged 13 asked if a boy could stay the othernight but on the sofa as he had no where else to go lol he didnt as he found somewhere else to stay. Dont know what I will be like when she asks for real though.

[Comfreyfan]

I think it always gives you a jolt at each stage of their growing up. When you're in the day to day grind of getting them up and out the door you don't notice the time passing, then suddenly it's their own responsibility and you realise they've grown up. But they're always your son/daughter. Recently my eldest (28) was knocked off his cycle, thankfully he wasn't badly hurt. But the first thing he did was to ring home because he wanted to talk to his mum!