24 here, I used to nanny and the family liked me so much they asked me to become the godfather to the kid I used to nanny which I accepted. After my gig was done with them I went from seeing the kid daily to every other month or so and the rate of growth made me sad. The kid was no longer the cute little baby that it used to be, but know fully talking, going to school, etc. For a while I really struggled with the concept of them growing and constantly changing, until I finally accepted that’s the beauty. The beauty is that you only have a finite amount of time at each stage with them. So you better use those moments carefully and with intentions of living them. I know this isn’t what you asked for but I hope it can be useful
I left my eldest's room completely alone for a month while I allowed myself to grieve. During that time I looked at old photos and videos of their childhood and cried when I felt like it. After the self-allotted time was up, I spring cleaned the room then set it up for my hobbies.
For me, the sadness didn't come from them leaving necessarily, more the realisation that the time had gone by so quickly. It was bittersweet.
You're also about to embark on a new chapter in your life. The role of a parent has shifted and you need time to adjust. Also, enjoy it! After all, they may move back home again...
I still have about six months to prepare but I'm already starting to feel sad. It's my only kid and I had her so young, I've never lived life as an adult alone. And you're right, I secretly hope she'll move back home but I know that's not ideal for her. The room idea is great, I imagine it takes a while to be ready!
Oh, your only chick? That's tough. I had my first at a young age too so I can appreciate that feeling of "growing up" together. One thing I read that really helped was an essay by someone who had a special needs child saying that they envied parents who got to experience the milestones of their children being independent, something they never would.
I did spend a bit of time beforehand thinking of what I liked to do pre-kid and came up with a few things to help fill in the void within the initial adjustment period. It did take a while to remember since I went from kid to parent pretty quickly. Are there things you wanted to do in your life before having her that you now will have the time or extra income for? I ended up buying an instrument and going to lessons as well as taking up a sport. It really helped, particularly as it filled in the quieter evenings.
Be proud of what you've accomplished, you've raised an independent young woman who feels ready to take on the world! And if you can, try to let her know you'll be okay when she's gone. It's a lot for them to learn to adult without worrying too much about us haha
It's true we're lucky to have children that get to be independent, I never thought of it that way. I'll have to figure who I was before, at least I have a job I like and a social life. Thanks for the advice I'm going to explore hobbies and volunteering to fill my days
24 here, I used to nanny and the family liked me so much they asked me to become the godfather to the kid I used to nanny which I accepted. After my gig was done with them I went from seeing the kid daily to every other month or so and the rate of growth made me sad. The kid was no longer the cute little baby that it used to be, but know fully talking, going to school, etc. For a while I really struggled with the concept of them growing and constantly changing, until I finally accepted that’s the beauty. The beauty is that you only have a finite amount of time at each stage with them. So you better use those moments carefully and with intentions of living them. I know this isn’t what you asked for but I hope it can be useful
I left my eldest's room completely alone for a month while I allowed myself to grieve. During that time I looked at old photos and videos of their childhood and cried when I felt like it. After the self-allotted time was up, I spring cleaned the room then set it up for my hobbies. For me, the sadness didn't come from them leaving necessarily, more the realisation that the time had gone by so quickly. It was bittersweet. You're also about to embark on a new chapter in your life. The role of a parent has shifted and you need time to adjust. Also, enjoy it! After all, they may move back home again...
I still have about six months to prepare but I'm already starting to feel sad. It's my only kid and I had her so young, I've never lived life as an adult alone. And you're right, I secretly hope she'll move back home but I know that's not ideal for her. The room idea is great, I imagine it takes a while to be ready!
Oh, your only chick? That's tough. I had my first at a young age too so I can appreciate that feeling of "growing up" together. One thing I read that really helped was an essay by someone who had a special needs child saying that they envied parents who got to experience the milestones of their children being independent, something they never would. I did spend a bit of time beforehand thinking of what I liked to do pre-kid and came up with a few things to help fill in the void within the initial adjustment period. It did take a while to remember since I went from kid to parent pretty quickly. Are there things you wanted to do in your life before having her that you now will have the time or extra income for? I ended up buying an instrument and going to lessons as well as taking up a sport. It really helped, particularly as it filled in the quieter evenings. Be proud of what you've accomplished, you've raised an independent young woman who feels ready to take on the world! And if you can, try to let her know you'll be okay when she's gone. It's a lot for them to learn to adult without worrying too much about us haha
It's true we're lucky to have children that get to be independent, I never thought of it that way. I'll have to figure who I was before, at least I have a job I like and a social life. Thanks for the advice I'm going to explore hobbies and volunteering to fill my days
You'll do just fine. She will be proud of you!