Reading this made me cry and feel all the feels. I'm in the same season as you. I also have an 18 yo son off to college. Trying to figure out this path in life. Letting go is so hard, scary, fun, exciting it's truly here in a momwnt in time. The bigger moments for them and the quieter moments for moms. So magical to enjoy these precious moments ✨️ 💖 💛
Awww…that intersection of feeling proud but also wishing I can turn back the clock. Will your son be going away far? So my son is studying film and got into a great school here in New York. So I get to still have him around, which is nice but also can get tricky because I do want him to have a college experience. When I was writing the email to him, I couldn’t get through some of it 😭 He was my #1 buddy, the one I learned to be a mom and explore the world with. (Oh oh, here comes the water works…) well, I am certain you know what I mean.
My son will be staying near and I think that is a huge reason why I'm staying grounded with my emotions. And like you my son soll also be the path of all the first milestones. And I truly feel the lump and holding the emotions of the ups and downs of it all. So glad I found you ✨️
Ok I am crying. Weeping. What a beautiful and meaningful way of loving and caring for your son. It is so inspiring. Thank you for sharing this! I am a witness of the Dooley Method being an intentional way of learning to love your home, yourself, your family as a whole, and each member as its own individual self. Reading this post, it inspires me to keep trying and keep learning to love each one of us as we need through all the seasons of life. You are the best, Ann!
I really appreciate your kind words. It still feels unreal that he’s considered an adult now. Lucky for me, his college is close by so he will still be living with us. 🥹 I will definitely cherish and make the most of whatever remaining years of him being close by.
So much of the Dooley Method came out of teaching him life skills. I truly couldn’t have done it without him! 🥰
Ann 🥹 Your writing always inspires me to write. In this instance, reading this brought me back to a recent conversation I had with a 19-year-old, talking about his connection with his mother, and how conflicted he was feeling. It reminded me that parenting is different for everyone, and I admire your mindfulness in pausing and reconnecting during the different milestones with your son.
Thank you, Lara. 🥰 My own relationship with my mom is how I have reshaped my relationship with my sons. I still get scared to call my mom. 🤦🏻♀️ But I am working on healing that relationship, but grateful for the positive ways that it’s changed me. 🙏
This brought tears to my eyes. 🥹 Your last line is so beautiful. What a meaningful gift for your son to have those emails to come back to throughout his life. I'm trying to soak up all these moments with my own kids because I know one day it'll be time for them to fly. ❤️
I’m truly deeply moved. It’s both heartbreaking and beautiful at the same time. It’s sad to see them leave childhood behind, but watching our boy's journey into becoming an individual is so beautiful. And I absolutely loved the gift you made for him!🤗🤍
Thank you, Papatya. ❤️ It’s been a bit of a transition. As I go through my own with perimenopause, we are both starting a new chapter. Next week we will go and get him an ID card, open up a bank account. I am holding so many emotions at once. Thinking of all the times I wish we’d get to the next milestone, now trying to stay still a little longer.
P.S. If you listen to my podcast episodes, his voice (and his little brother’s) introduces me. I feel so proud every time I hear it. 🥹
This is so special! I am sure that this will be the most memorable birthday your boy has ever had. what an inspiration!
I think you are right. 🥰
Reading this made me cry and feel all the feels. I'm in the same season as you. I also have an 18 yo son off to college. Trying to figure out this path in life. Letting go is so hard, scary, fun, exciting it's truly here in a momwnt in time. The bigger moments for them and the quieter moments for moms. So magical to enjoy these precious moments ✨️ 💖 💛
Same! I’ve met many amazing moms here but most have young kids. It’s nice to finally meet someone who is in the same season. 🙏
Awww…that intersection of feeling proud but also wishing I can turn back the clock. Will your son be going away far? So my son is studying film and got into a great school here in New York. So I get to still have him around, which is nice but also can get tricky because I do want him to have a college experience. When I was writing the email to him, I couldn’t get through some of it 😭 He was my #1 buddy, the one I learned to be a mom and explore the world with. (Oh oh, here comes the water works…) well, I am certain you know what I mean.
My son will be staying near and I think that is a huge reason why I'm staying grounded with my emotions. And like you my son soll also be the path of all the first milestones. And I truly feel the lump and holding the emotions of the ups and downs of it all. So glad I found you ✨️
Ok I am crying. Weeping. What a beautiful and meaningful way of loving and caring for your son. It is so inspiring. Thank you for sharing this! I am a witness of the Dooley Method being an intentional way of learning to love your home, yourself, your family as a whole, and each member as its own individual self. Reading this post, it inspires me to keep trying and keep learning to love each one of us as we need through all the seasons of life. You are the best, Ann!
I really appreciate your kind words. It still feels unreal that he’s considered an adult now. Lucky for me, his college is close by so he will still be living with us. 🥹 I will definitely cherish and make the most of whatever remaining years of him being close by.
So much of the Dooley Method came out of teaching him life skills. I truly couldn’t have done it without him! 🥰
Ann 🥹 Your writing always inspires me to write. In this instance, reading this brought me back to a recent conversation I had with a 19-year-old, talking about his connection with his mother, and how conflicted he was feeling. It reminded me that parenting is different for everyone, and I admire your mindfulness in pausing and reconnecting during the different milestones with your son.
Happy 18th birthday to him! ✨
Thank you, Lara. 🥰 My own relationship with my mom is how I have reshaped my relationship with my sons. I still get scared to call my mom. 🤦🏻♀️ But I am working on healing that relationship, but grateful for the positive ways that it’s changed me. 🙏
Relationships are always a work in progress, and I agree - either way, we get the chance to learn about ourselves ❤
This brought tears to my eyes. 🥹 Your last line is so beautiful. What a meaningful gift for your son to have those emails to come back to throughout his life. I'm trying to soak up all these moments with my own kids because I know one day it'll be time for them to fly. ❤️
That post took a long time to write because I kept crying in between! 😭Thank you for reading. Yes, take it all in. ❤️🥹
❤️❤️❤️
I’m truly deeply moved. It’s both heartbreaking and beautiful at the same time. It’s sad to see them leave childhood behind, but watching our boy's journey into becoming an individual is so beautiful. And I absolutely loved the gift you made for him!🤗🤍
Thank you, Papatya. ❤️ It’s been a bit of a transition. As I go through my own with perimenopause, we are both starting a new chapter. Next week we will go and get him an ID card, open up a bank account. I am holding so many emotions at once. Thinking of all the times I wish we’d get to the next milestone, now trying to stay still a little longer.
P.S. If you listen to my podcast episodes, his voice (and his little brother’s) introduces me. I feel so proud every time I hear it. 🥹