Grown up children

Both DH and myself work part time for our DS so we are in almost daily contact but mostly about things we need to do for him. It's nice when he phones just for a family chat about once a week.

If there are any problems with the family we are first to know.

We don't phone him unless there is an emergency as I am always worried I will be interrupting them.

What a great thread! So many people say they speak to their daughters on the phone every day or their son calls in every day on his way to get the paper etc you can start thinking it's the norm. I think the emotional distance gets greater as you and they get older and it's a natural thing to happen. Suddenly when the grandchildren reach their teens they are off on their own at weekends and then the younger ones go to school and don't need babysitting so much. I sometimes feel like the 4th emergency service, but not often.

With us it's getting very much to be mother's days and birthdays and the odd concert grandkids take part in. Plus I can no longer cater for big family parties, I am not up to it and there are just too many of us anyway.

We had a cream tea for hub's 80th at a hotel, good tip that I had from a friend, does not cost as much as a dinner, everyone can come and home in time for the news.

You get mothers days AND birthdays ? I didn't even get bloomin' Christmas. No ones getting a cream tea from me [except me] !

Nice to hear your comments, know it is only right that you fall back in the pecking order as everyone gets older. Difficult to switch off from the pivotal role held for too many years, but in a way nice as do not know how I used to fit everything in, all seems to take longer now I am 70.