[pjlsad]

Today is the last day my last child will be living at home, shes out shopping right now, and I keep sitting here crying.
I feel so profoundly sad. Tommorrow, she will be leaving for Japan for a year to study. I'm happy for her accomplishments but the realization that when she's gone, I will be in this house by myself. I need to ger a life I guess.
No one understands what I'm going through. I hav'nt let her know how hard it will be for me, It's not right to burden her with my issues. I need to find a support group in the Sacramento, or Roseville Ca area. Any help greatly appreciated.

[DocClyde]

Sorry to hear. I wish I could do something to help you. Perhaps you two could stay in contact via email, or Messenger as well as snail mail and phone calls? That may help a tiny bit.

Really do feel your pain--at least your daughter knows she is loved.

(((Pjlsad)))

[(JD)]

I'm sorry you feel so alone! I'm also sorry that no one helped you find additional purpose in your life (though raising a child is a great one) for just this time of your life.

Don't look at it as loss, but change. She is still your daughter, but now you will have all her experiences she will share with you, as well as new ones you will be making.

I think the best way to go about this is to find a hobby...try something you never tried...volunteer somewhere...take a course to learn (and keep the brains cells multiplying )

I'm sorry to hear also that no one in your life understands, because surely many ppl do know exactly what you are going through. Don't be hesitant to seek out a therapist, as the emotions and emptiness can become overwhelming for some.

Welcome, and take care!

[mssumom]

I truly do understand what you are feeling as I am also alone for the first time in my 41yrs when my daughter left for college in august. It is very, very hard and anytime you want someone to talk to please just PM me.
Take care,
Lori

[Sarah116]

If this is really so hard you know what I was thinking, why don't you foster a child! It makes such a difference and sometimes is just for 2 weeks or so. It might help you feel a little better to have someone, and know you helped change someones life! Just an idea.

[bbren]

Hi - sorry to hear of this for you - my son 23 will be going to South Korea to teach for a year in the next couple of weeks - I too cry constantly - don't know how I'm going to manage. He has been away at college the last 4 years but only 2-1/2 hour drive away and I see him frequently and don't look forward to this change. But as you said we need to let them go, learn, explore and live their lives - but wow is that ever hard. - if you ever need to just communicate with someone I am willing to be an ear - good luck getting through this, I have an idea of your pain and wish you well and wish your daughter a safe and happy adventure.

[domino]

I left my parents when I was 22 years old, it was the day I got married, to go to a far away country, my parents where very sad to see me go but I couldn't understand why they were feeling so sad. During the first month I missed them very much and spend a fortune on telephone calls. Even though I was beginning a new life, in a new country I did miss them very much and I still miss my mother very much as we only see each other every two years my father died about 7 years ago.Through the following years I had my three children who will fly the nest one day, I ask myself how I will be able to cope. My world is my children. I have started from now to prepare myself for that day. I have joined a couple of clubs and I try to see my friends at least once a week. I do feel lonely though because already they are very independant and one of them is already 19 years old. I keep asking myself, how am I going to cope with the situation. I can really understand what you are going through and I hope you will find a solution.

Take care

[Perna]

Maybe you can help form a group?

http://emptynest.meetup.com/cities/us/ca/sacramento/

Or here's an online site:

http://www.emptynestmoms.com/index.html