My boy has flown

Are you going to visit him there? Two years will fly by and it will be fantastic hearing of his adventures over there [says I knowing I would be in bits, also!!].

Skype is wonderful

Here's a hankie! And here's to your first trip to see him!

Oh Minxie I do feel for you so much but, as has already been said, those 2 years will fly by. I am sending you some to cheer you a little bit!! x

My daughter left for Uni at age 18 and stayed in that town. My son came back to stay for a while. I was very happy when he got himself sorted and moved out.
My whole purpose in bringing them up was to get them independent and capable of no longer needing me. I don't really understand how you feel, I'm afraid. These ex-children are not lost to you, certainly not in these days of the internet and Skype.
I don't know how old you are, but I'm sure you have a lot of years left to do things for yourself at last.

I hate goodbyes. Like you I was just thinking ‘why do they grow up’ as I watched my middle grandson ride his moped to college. I know you’ll miss him but aren’t his generation lucky to have these opportunities. Chin up, tea ☕️ and sympathy.

Sending you hugs and sympathy, mine went intending to stay and become a citizen.
I was just getting used to it, had stopped crying and was planning my second trip to see him, when after 2 years he decided to come back!
Though, he has said that he may go again at some point. Your son may also return after a while.

Big hugs, I know what that feels like. Like others have said it is so much easier to keep in touch these days, but it’s still a bit raw at the mo. You will feel a bit better once he is there & been in touch

My baby aged 25 went travelling too, supposedly for two years, he came back after six months ready to settle down in a new career, really surprised us.Its something they have to do, and rightly so, just keep in touch and enjoy the peace and quiet.

Both of my children left for university at age 18 and never came back to live with us afterwards. They're still in the UK but settled elsewhere.
Letting them go is hard but all part of life's rich pattern. I'm used to it now but I understand how you feel Minxie! Tea, cake and sympathy from me too. ?☕?

It hurts but he's coming back try being happy for him. Mine went and only comes back to visit. Not Australia but it still takes some getting used to as I know he's never going to live close by.

Oh dear, I know how you feel. Especially with your poor Dad being 90, it is so hard. For them it is the start of a big adventure, you just have to be supportive, and not let them know how you feel inside.

My son went down under on a 2 year working visa, that was eight years ago and he is still there! He did come back last year for a year, but now returned. We have only visited twice, due to money problems,.

We have a family WhatsApp group, all free, so we can easily stay in touch. If you Dad has a smart phone, he could be on it too, and it's so lovely getting little messages and photos of their latest travels.

My son went to NZ 21 years ago to have a look around I knew in my heart he wouldn’t come back I see him about every five years and I always cry when I leave we speak every week (Skype is hard with time differences and it breaking up so stick to talking through the free phone on fb each Sunday morning) I love my two grandkids but don’t really know them

Roots and wings. Two years will soon go by. My son has lived abroad for 15 years and won't ever be back permanently but you get used to the thought and find ways to compensate.

TBH, I thought this thread title was about someone losing a child so I am thankful it isn't as heartbreaking as that.

Minxie you will miss him but he is 25 now, so has stayed around for a long time, and as others say, you can skype and email and phone.He may not stay the whole two years anyway and be homesick.
Our son had opportunities after Uni so didn’t come home, but you have to be pleased for them.
See your friends and keep busy for a while.?

Minxie sad for you and I do feel for you. I hope he has a wonderful time and makes sure he shares his adventures with you by Skype etc.

I think I just want to say that having your children grow up is better than the alternative

Minixi, you have done a good job you have given your child the foundations to build a life on and the confidence to go and have an adventure in an other country.
Well done you! ?

The first few days are the most difficult, so keep busy.
Then gradually it will become easier and you will start to look forward to your chats an texts.
Maybe a tonight.

Minxie. How I feel for you. My 3 DD's went to Oz aged 24, 21 and 18. 2 came home after a year but the middle one didn't. She found a husband and now has 4 children. It was very hard to bear at first but after a while you cope and it becomes the norm. The upside is I have fantastic holidays there every year. Embrace it and be happy for your 'baby'

When I was expecting my first child, one of my mother's friends congratulated me but also pointed out to that my child would be "on loan." They would be gone in just a few years. I never realised just how quickly those years would pass! Mind you, much as I love my children and really enjoy spending time with them , I really can't imagine them living back here with us now. ?

minxie you have my empathy. My DD and her husband went 3 yrs ago for a job opportunity. It absolutely destroyed me. I cried for months as we were so very close. We kept in contact endlessly, Whatsapp, Imessage, FaceTime etc. We are lucky enough to visit her each year and so far she has come back each year. However, they applied and now have permanent residency and my worst fear is being realised....they are buying a house and staying there. I am slowly adjusting, but will never fully accept it. Totally selfish of me. They have a fab life there, it just feels like a rejection! Which of course it isn't!! As my husband points out daily, we brought them up to seize and opportunity if they saw it! They did...just 10,000 miles away! Hopefully your boy has a great time and the 2 years will fly by. It is a great place to visit. The tears may flow for while....just let them flow....you will adjust. Good Luck

Mine went to Australia for 6 months. That was 3 years ago and he's recently been home for a visit for the first time since then. I do understand how you feel, but before that he was in the military and went to some much terrible places. That was when I nearly went out of my mind with worry. As much as I miss him now I feel lucky that he came back from those places relatively unscathed when so many didn't. Despite all that I still cry because I miss him so much, but I am proud that he's living his life to the full.

My heart goes out to you especially as I am in the same position. My only son, daughter in law and two beautiful grandchildren head off to Melbourne for 2 years on the 21st. At the moment I still can’t believe it will actually happen and am having to keep my own emotions on such a tight rein so I don’t upset the little ones. I have looked after them at least one day a week for the last two and a half years so there will be an enormous hole in my life. Still on the brighter side would never have got DH on a long haul flight anywhere without this and he may get to like it! Book a flight and then you can at least count the days down to a visit.

My 25 year old baby went on 27 Dec Minxie, but only for 6 months (hopefully). He actually works with us in our small family business so he's missed daily for that too - especially as it means DH and I only have Saturdays off for 6 months! We cried when we dropped him and his girlfriend at the airport too and I felt a bit lost when DD returned home to Spain with our oldest 2 DGC just a week later. I know that's not as far but where she lives is very rural (no mains water or electricity) so a hire car is a must and I won't drive over there so can only go when we can both go. She has a smallholding so the animals, and paying guests, mean it's very difficult for her to get away too.
I'm very glad other DS and his lovely partner and our other 2 DGC just live around the corner and can walk home after a glass of wine with Sunday dinner!