I raised two Sons on my own they both left me 40 years ago to live in another Country. I'm now 80 and totally alone with No one to call on . I missed out on my Grandchildren as they were born in another Country. It's amazing how one learns to cope. I finally became mortgage free and hopefully can stay out of a Nursing Home. I keep very active.

My daughter moved to the other side of our country 20 years ago and built a life for herself and has stayed a single.   Even after all these years I still get tearful when we see her and it is time for us or her to leave.   Even after all these years I still miss her every day and look forward to seeing her again.

Mine live 30 minutes away and we rarely see them. So moving away for a good reason is understandable but for us they moved emotionally away from us. It hurts.

Our 30 something daughter was happy living at home with no rent and a free car for the past 2 years, not having the $$resources to be fully independent…then she decided to go overseas in a cheap country to reclaim a bit of her self reliance, and now does not want to stay in touch…I do get that they need to thrive on their own, but being “abandoned “ seemingly by our kids for no good reason is really tough nonetheless….

The only constant is change.

Tina, sometimes all  our kids lived out of town.  Every situation is different, no guarantees they won't move again to other cities.  As hard as it is on parents, all you can do is smile & be happy for them.  Its their turn now.

Life can move people apart geographically, but technology can keep you in touch every single day. We're extremely fortunate to have both our girls and grandchildren nearby. In the end, family is how we keep in tight

Tina! Great thoughts you expressed on this very common situation - bring separated from loved ones. As you mentioned, thanks to today’s technology, we can more easily stay connected.  But, visiting now and then for important events and of course “hugs and kisses”. Thanks Tina! Take care!

When my son moved 1500 miles away I felt a physical ache.  I missed him so much.  It’s been three years and now days go by where I don’t think about him.  I still miss him but it’s just a tiny dull ache.  Now I look forward to visiting him for long weekends in his new exciting city a couple times a year.  He isn’t the type to phone regularly so I set up face time calls every six weeks - the calls aren’t really that satisfying.  He and my husband regularly exchange internet clips.  My son is living a happy life and as a mother that makes me happy but it feels like the future won’t be as joy filled as the past for me.  Maybe that’s just me getting old.

Spot on discussion!  Wishing your son and family the best with their move..I’m sure it’ll be an adjustment for you when they leave.. luckily you are retired, so you can travel to visit when you want!..you are such a wise woman..  You are inspirational! Take care! Happy Sunday

Tina, you are spot on. You have time and flexibility to make a change if you decide to make a move as well. Your decision will be influenced by many dynamics and having been in a similar situation myself, I recommend taking things slowly and ask yourself important questions along the way. It may not be the right time for you to leave the apartment you shared with Norm. That’s ok. Does it make financial sense for you to make a move? See how the next six months goes. See if your son is happy in the new area. Let yourself feel all the feels and then make a decision. And I can tell you with certainty that when/if it is time, you will KNOW! It took me five years to make a significant move after my husband died, but when the timing was right, any anxiety I had about it slipped away and I was ready for my next life adventure. Was it easy? No. But it was and continues to be right for me. Give yourself grace and you will figure it out over time ❤️

Hello Tina.😊
Lovely seeing you back.  

Hoping you’re enjoying your Sunday.  It’s a beautiful sunny autumn day today, down here in Windsor ☀️ 🍁
I think we’re in for a very warm Thanksgiving.

I can relate to your words so very much, as us being the one to leave once and also being the ones to be left at another time in life.  
In life we gain and we pain.  We’re humans, therefore we experience emotions, happy and sad ones.

Wishing you a happy week ahead.  

Missing your shorts, “Tea with Tina!”.  ❤️

Take much care. 💙

Sam 🌷 🤗

Your attitude about children moving away is a good one. Too many parents want to cling to their children and expect them to be there to fulfill their lives. They complain when the children don't call or visit regularly. My husband and I moved 3000 miles from our families when he continued his education. His parents had already passed and mine wanted us closer. We did come closer and were 640 miles from them. He was never close to his siblings as he was the youngest and only child of a second marriage. My sister was 16 years younger and my brother never married. Our children had no cousins or aunts and uncles to be close with. My parents were never involved in our children's lives. When our children grew up and left home they had no reason to want to stay since we were the only relations they had here. They were anxious to build their own lives. At first our daughter was in the Navy and then lived 2000 miles from us. Our youngest son moved north 400 miles and now lives south of us by 400 miles. The oldest son is 50 miles away and my sister is 640 miles from me. My husband passed almost 17 years ago and I remain in our one and only home. I am centrally located to everyone. If I move closer to one I would be further from the others. I have no reason or desire to want to live anywhere else.

I feel if adult children move, they are seeking their freedom & carving out their more personal unique future. They've learned and earned their chance to emulate how independently you've lived. But I can only imagine the disappointment in watching them go. 💟

We were always a family of 8 plus 3 grand kids. My mother In law would live with us on weekends and my daughter and grand kids were here 1 day every weekend . Then my mother in law got the Big C in February passed 10 weeks later in May.  Oldest daughter got posted to the USA for 2 years with grand kids , youngest daughter moved out in August , followed by middle daughter 1 week later , both boys live with their girlfriends about 5 days a week. Massive change in about 6 months. Those that say they are happy when their kids move out are yet to experience the echo of a empty house.

It's a difficult one. And of course a lot depends on the relationship between the adult child and parent. My adult child and grandchildren moved away and it's been difficult over the years, as when we do meet up there's a lot of unresolved things that seem to have to be brought up before we can settle down. This has become a pattern and I've tried my best to get to a place where we can understand each other and avoid this for both of us, but it still happens. This has led to a quite painful place where I'm expected to make the long flight to go and visit, then get thrashed around for a few days, then usually some good days. If I don't go I don't see them, and if I do go it's not a nice time, plus it's a long journey and expensive. My oldest grandkid came to live with me for a couple of years once she became a young adult, which was something I'd never expected and was very nice. That's the downside of all being spread out around the world. I left my home country and came to Canada over 30 years ago... I didn't really consider my mom as much as I should have, and she's gone now. I went to my old hometown this summer and my 2 sisters that still live there have a lot more continuity with their children and grandchildren, although one of their kids has recently moved a few thousand miles away. And of course we as older adults feel the time we have left much more than out adult children.

I’m about your age, I live near one of my children and a short flight away from another. My children and grandchildren are my world and as long as I can, I will live near at least one of them. I’m happy in both places. Life is uncertain.♥️ Being strong does not mean you do not need your adult children.

My mother in particular became very difficult if ever we brought up the subject of a possible move across country. I sometimes wonder what life would have been like if we'd just got on with it.

Tina..... just a little away from your video subject... l just wanted you to know that my Wife and l got one way flights to Portugal. Inspired by yourself and Norm we ended up in Tavira. Stayed for 11 nights and loved it. We wanted you to know, Norm's influence on us lives on x

Things can change from one day to the other. At least you are in good health and can, simply, hop on a plane and visit.❤️🙏🇨🇦