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Helen | Mum of Teens
@iamhelenwills

8,327 followers

Kids leaving for university. Ok, so yesterday I cried. A lot. I was fragile as if I was under the weather - all I wanted to do was crawl under the duvet. I didn’t, but I did cut myself some slack on my usual mountain of tasks, and made time weep and feel sad. Today I was fine. Good enough to feel excited as I got things ready that I want to give her for her room (oh yes, the tears are a preamble - she hasn’t left yet!) I’m excited to see where she will be living, to know what societies she joins, to hear about new friends. I briefly felt nervous - will she make friends, lose things, be safe when she’s out on her own, cope with her medical condition? I let myself feel that alongside my excitement. I felt proud when my therapist asked me about her and I told her some stories. It made me smile. I allowed myself to feel that, and know that I helped to create that gorgeous, confident, clever, responsible young woman. I didn’t brush it off; I gave myself credit. It’s hard when your child moves out. 18 years of a job so intense it rules your life, and now it’s moving to a different, more hands off phase. That’s huge. So I deserve space for sadness. Even though I’m excited. And nervous. And proud. One doesn’t have to rule the other - the feelings can all take up space in my body. And when that gets overwhelming, as it will - 4 big emotions, how could it not? - I will just sit and be overwhelmed for a while. Until I’m not, and I can find the energy to make dinner. Or order a takeaway. Because it’s okay. It’s all okay. #parentingteens #universitytime #leavinghome #grownandflown #mentalhealthawareness