OMG! How do you let that last child go!?!

[luvflorida]

DD15, my youngest, my baby, my only child left at home, is out driving for the first time ON THE ROAD! I dropped her at the driving school and cried all the way home. When I left her at the school, I told the driving instructor that she had never driven a car before except for this weekend when my husband took her up to the high school parking lot for a brief driving lesson. The instructor said, "Oh, no problem!"

I don't remember being this nervous or possessive with my two oldest, and it's been awhile since the driving thing. Son is ten years older than youngest daughter, and my other daughter is six years older.

I'm having an extremely difficult time letting go of my youngest, and giving her the freedom and independence that I know she deserves. I want to protect her from EVERYTHING! I can't even think about her going off to college.

How did you let go of that motherly grip on your youngest? Anyone with any experience with this, please help!!

 

[mtblujeans]

I am in the same boat. DH & I have been 'lightly' grieving the fact that oldest DS will be going to college next year for the last 2 years! He has been a delightful child and we will miss him terribly! Not just because he will be moving away....but the fact that he will no longer be 'our little boy'!

Youngest DS is 14 and old enough to begin drivers' ed but is not interested in driving a car yet. To make matters worse, to some extent, he has always enjoyed being the youngest child and I could see him possibly not wanting to leave us when the time comes! That will be very hard on both of us, I am afraid!

Both of the boys have been wonderful kids and I think DH and I will probably just kill each other when these angels leave out home.....we both get along better with the kids than we do each other!!

I think we will both just have to cry out our loss and find somethings to do in our respective communities to take up our time, keep us busy, so we don't think about our kids going away....

 

[CathrynRose]

I have no idea.... and it scared the be-jeebers out of me!!!

I *just* said to my youngest (who is 10) this weekend - no more growing. Youve gotten big enough.

He was snuggling with me (when the rest of my family shunned me and my germ-filled flu-like self!) And hugging on me....

I cant even imagine him "all grown up"

 

[luvflorida]

Youngest DS is 14 and old enough to begin drivers' ed but is not interested in driving a car yet. To make matters worse, to some extent, he has always enjoyed being the youngest child and I could see him possibly not wanting to leave us when the time comes! That will be very hard on both of us, I am afraid!

I think it would be easier if daughter didn't want to do all these 'growing up' things! She can't wait to drive, to get a summer job, to go to college. I'm the one who is having problems with it!

Of course, she still has moments where she wants me to sleep in her room with her, or snuggle up in my bed when husband is away on business.

I know I have to let her grow up, but it's so hard with the last child.

 

[mtblujeans]

....I know I have to let her grow up, but it's so hard with the last child.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Sounds like a great kid! I would say for you...happily!

 

[mtblujeans]

I know....it's kind of a weird situation! You don't want them to grow up but you are happy they are well adjusted people to send out into the world!!