how many stay at home moms are terrified............

I was a stay at home mom for many years and I did very much enjoy doing it. I found that when it was time for my children to have their own lives, I was also ready to have mine back. It takes time to get used to the idea of them being gone, but the relationship actually gets much closer then. Relax and enjoy the adult years as well. Keep yourself busy and involved in other things and you will find that it isn't as hard as you had imagined. In fact, you will probably find yourself glad for the alone time that you get now.

I believe it's normal to feel some anxiety about your children leaving home soon. You've been taking care of them all these years and one day, you won't have anyone to take care of. But that's not exactly true. Because your children will always need you, even it it's just a phone call to hear your voice. Look at this as a time to pursue your other interests. Interests that you have let go of when you were focused on caring for your children. It'll be so good to learn something new. About your anxiety attacks, I've experienced those, also and I had to see a psychotherapist to work out my issues. No medication, just a lot of thought processing and decision-making about my life. So far, it's been good, I haven't had an attack for many months now.

It is normal to feel bad that one day your kids are going to be on their own. I don't think that many moms get anxiety attacks. You might want to talk to your doctor about that and see if there is something you can take to help you threw these. My oldest is out of the house and about to get married. It was actaully a great event him buying a house close to home. We are so close that we still talk daily and he stops by or I stop by just to say hi. I did have a bad feeling last weekend. My teenage boys were working and my 8 yr old was away with a friend for the weekend. My husband works weekends, so I was home alone. I got all my cleaning and grocery shopping done in record time. Then it was just a lonely feeling not haveing any kids here. Guess I am going to have to come up with a hobby or something when my kids are all out on their own.

You know that your kids are going to want to move out one day and have lives of their own. That you can't avoid and it wouldn't be fair to them if you had them stay home. I think you need to seek some therapy on how to deal with it when it comes time for them to go. It's not an easy thing for some parents I have two kids that are gone out on their own and when your kids are not all at home sound asleep in their beds they are out doing whatever they want it has a tendency to worry you it's a normal thing. It's ok to be worried but when you worry so much that it ruins your life then it's time to get help. Doing things alone is not much fun but you can find ways to make it fun and you will be able to see your kids from time to time. Maybe before they move out you could start some activities that will take up part of your day so you won't have to think about being alone. I don't know what they would be because I don't know your hobbies but maybe you can host some parties at your house maybe a support group for parents who's children are grown up an gone. Good luck.