Like many of you, I've stood in a supermarket queue, pushing the trolley gently backwards and forwards, just like a pram/pushchair and there's been no child in it just a habit I'd been unable to break. It has been a long time since I've done that, but there are many other parenting things I still do, despite the children having left home.
I often wake early in the morning and on checking the clock, panic and realise no one will be ready for school at in time and as soon as I have the thought I remember I haven't done a 'school run' since the end of 2013.
I still hide chocolate and sweets, in the veg drawer in the fridge, then I forget where I've put them.
I still look at the kids favourite foods in the supermarket, but no longer drop items in the trolley, or cry over the fact they've left home.
I find myself hunting for washing to fill up the machine and still check under the beds in the spare room, I have no idea what I expect to find.
I double check the doors in the spare room to ensure they're closed and locked before going out, despite the kids not being there to 'forget' they've opened them.
I check the front gate is closed, just in case the kids who are no longer here have forgotten to close it behind them so the dog doesn't escape.
I call out for the kids to help me move an item of furniture or come and rescue me as I attempt to turn the mattress on our bed, forgetting that they won't come running to my aid.
I still spend hours looking for the remote control in the day, or the land line or the charger for my phone.
I call the dog by the children's names, one by one.
I say 'NO' aloud when I receive a message from the youngest asking for more pocket money for school, followed by a stream of messages from him begging, till I cave in.
I stalk/check their Facebook, twitter, instagram daily to make sure I haven't missed anything.
I smile to myself when they like the comments or photo's I've left for them on social media and I can see the expression on their faces and hear the tone in their voices 'mummmmm'
Always mommy :)
ReplyDeleteyep indeed
Deleteaw I still go to buy colouring books or little toys for DD before remembering shes 17 now and not 3 anymore! they grow up so fast #TweensTeensBeyond.
ReplyDeletethey sure do, but sometimes they still appreciate a little treat
DeleteSome mornings I still wonder if we're running late when I see kids walking past on their way to school, and I've been known to worry about if my gap-year teen has remembered her homework! I presume sometime I'll break these habits but I wonder how long it takes ...
ReplyDeletewell for me it's been almost 3 years and i'm still rocking the trolley
DeleteWe must surely all do this in some way or another. Maybe I need to get a dog, otherwise I'll be talking to myself! Thanks for sharing with #TweensTeensBeyond Nicky
ReplyDeletegod no, don't get a dog, you'll end up talking to them and getting upset when they don't reply lol
DeleteThis is so lovely! They might be thousands of miles away and all grown up, but you're still a mum and they're still your babies :)
ReplyDeletethank you, they are indeed
DeleteI am preparing for my eldest to leave home this year, all going well with the A'levels and it is going to be so strange. There are moments when I think, yes it is time, but as I sit here now typing waiting to hear his key in the door I know I will miss him really. Thanks for joining us again. #TweensTeensBeyond
ReplyDeletethe youngest is moving back in with this over the summer as he finishes school and prepares to move on
DeleteThis is just lovely. You are still a Mum, but in different ways. This shows that some feelings never leave you. Thanks you so much for sharing it with us at #TweensTeensBeyond
ReplyDeletethank you, but as soon as they come home i'm moaning about them
DeleteI am looking forward to the day when I have to hunt around for washing
ReplyDeleteno you won't, it gets annoying waiting a week to wash a favourite top lol
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