My eldest son is twenty-two and is leaving home at the end of the week. He did the leaving home thing once before, but then moved back in as a stop-gap while he was looking for a flat, and eighteen months later here we are. He works mostly evenings so he’s been around a lot during the daytime, and he’s really good company. I’ll miss him.
He was going through all the forms he needs to fill in before he can move in to the flat he’s found with his mate, and there were so many checks the letting agent seemed to need, just to make sure he’s an official human being.
‘I’ll get you two referees,’ I said cheerfully, ‘I know two people who are in some form of employment and live in houses.’
‘Ah Mum, thank you SOOOO much,’ he said, looking really grateful.
‘That’s ok.’
I thought a bit.
‘It’s not really anything special you know, any parent would do that.’
‘Oh I know but I’m really grateful Mum. Thank you.’
‘Yes but other parents would be paying the deposit, being a guarantor, hiring a van… It really is the basic minimum you’re getting from me. It’s just lucky I’ve got two friends.’
‘Yes but when you’re used to getting nothing from a parent,’ he said cheerfully and matter-of-factly, ‘you really appreciate what you do get.’
‘Everything’s a bonus eh son?’ I spluttered, once I’d picked myself up from under the table.
‘Well yes,’ he said happily, ‘for instance, I know who to ask for a lift…’
I nearly spluttered indignantly: ‘But I offered you a lift!’ and then I remembered that what I’d actually said was ‘I don’t think we’d get your mattress into my car’ – which is not the same thing is it?
‘Yeah. Your dad.’ I conceded.
‘Promise me you’ll remember to leave the house sometimes Mum,’ he said.
But who’s going to remind me? And who’s going to make me splutter with laughter during the day while I’m trying to work? Who’s going to go and switch the radio off for me whenever Radio 3 starts playing opera?
I was trying to think of some positives in the situation and all I’ve come up with so far are these: my water bills will go down, and I will be slightly clearer about which towels need washing.
Doesn’t really make up for all the other stuff though does it? Β Guess I’ll just have to get out of the house more.
Ross Mountney
Empathise with your post! After training our whole existence to raise and nurture them it gets to the point we have to change back and get over it! No small task this parenting is it – ever? π
Stephanie Davies-Arai
It seems like like a series of ‘Letting Goes’, each one a bit more than the last one!! Thanks for your comment π
Merlinda Little (@pixiedusk)
Reading post like this this early (my son is 4) makes me realized how I need to maximise my time with him when I am with him. A lovely post =) #mbpw
Stephanie Davies-Arai
Thank you! Enjoy your little boy now and keep on enjoying him as he gets older, they’re lovely at every age!! π
Kate Thompson
What a heart felt post. I have a lump in my throat now! My wonderful eldest is 16 and I hope he doesn’t leave home of a long time, I LOVE having him around. (Would appreciate the food shop lasting a bit longer tho…) #MBPW