I miss when my children (especially my son) were younger

94% Normal
9 Comments

My son will turn 23 this year and my twin daughters 20 and I can't help but yearn for the time when they were small, innocent and full of wonder.

Blowing bubbles, finger painting and camping were the best things in the world. They not only cuddled me but FOUGHT to, it was like having my own little group of tiny fans. As they got older they inevitably not only got less affectionate but became embarrassed of me. Even when they're not with me they will complain about how I dress.

I miss being their whole world, when my son was 5 mum could fix anything. Now I feel out of place in his young adult world. Do any other mums-of-adults (or dads) feel the same?

Voting Results
94% Normal
Based on 16 votes (15 yes)
Help us keep this site organized and clean. Thanks!
[ Report Post ]
Comments ( 9 )
  • Boojum
    3 years ago

    Hang in there. While your kids are all adults as far as the law is concerned (and I'm sure they consider themselves that), neuroscience has found that people their ages are still in the final stage of adolescence. The brain only stops developing at some point in the mid-twenties, and becoming truly emotionally mature can take a lot longer than that.

    Your nostalgia is pretty common, but you need to accept the relationship between a parent and their child inevitably goes through a lot of changes until both of them are able to accept each other as adults. Treat them with loving respect, acknowledge that you can't truly understand what life is like for young people these days, and accept that they have the right to find their own paths through life and make their own mistakes. Hopefully, they will eventually become mature enough to accept you for who you are and understand how much you've given them. That might take some time, and it's possible it will only happen when and if they become parents themselves.

    As for the way you dress, don't worry about it. Fashion being what it is, the odds are that if you continue to do you, the wheel will continue to turn and at some point your personal style will be in vogue again.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    4
    4
      -
    • Wolf_Mama
      3 years ago

      Such a kind response, thank you. I don't even consider my fashion too eccentric, just a little wolf-like. I sometimes lament how conformist they can be.

      Again a mention of grandbabies, I just hope they don't come too soon, I'm not ready for my cubs to have little cubs just yet.

      Comment Hidden ( show )
      0
      0
  • Pilum
    3 years ago

    This made me feel sad. Yes it's normal, totally.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    3
    3
  • 1WeirdGuy
    3 years ago

    My son is only 2 and I could definitely see that. But dont worry you'll get grandbabies to fill that roll.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    1
    1
  • Somenormie
    3 years ago

    It's normal to feel that way for someone who is a parent.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    1
    1
  • RoyyRogers
    3 years ago

    You just miss ur babies. If you were a good parent they shouldn't be ashamed of you.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0
      -
    • Wolf_Mama
      3 years ago

      You would think, they complain that I post about them too much on Facebook and god forbid I should over step my apparent implicit quota of daily/weekly wolf references. It's a thankless job sometimes.

      Comment Hidden ( show )
      0
      0
  • bigbudchonga
    3 years ago

    Awww, dw, hopefully you will get grandchildern soon and you can have that all over again! :)

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    -1
    -1
      -
    • Wolf_Mama
      3 years ago

      Ah yes, more little cubs would be wonderful! Not too soon though I should hope, I need them to find good caring honest spouses first.

      Comment Hidden ( show )
      0
      0