That's a big win. We went to the theatre last night and I noticed how few teens were there with their parents/ family. Some 12 yr olds maybe. Great if we can encourage teens to keep doing stuff with us on the odd occasion (somehow! I'm not there yet but maybe someone has the answer)
This is so beautiful! I am not a mother yet, but this is exactly the kind of mother I want to be. I was in tears by the end, thank you so much for sharing!!
Oh my days. This one made me emotional. Thank you for writing it. And for sharing it. And for that brilliant advice about writing the piece that won’t stop following you around. That is golden xx
Thank you my love. The vulnerability hangover was real on this one - but it was written with his full permission. We do need to listen to those whispers, cliched as it sounds xo
In tears this morning on the back of yesterday’s results and ahead of a drive north to see the eldest who flew four or is it five years ago. Terrain, yes, it’s strewn with bumps and divots and smooth paths too. One thing my boys do since leaving home I didn’t expect or anticipate and love is that they chat on the phone. They call. They call me, their dad, each other. Long long chats about what’s going on in their lives, our lives. It reminds me of the long phone calls I used to have with my mum. It’s those phone calls that remind me we’re ok. We’re doing more than ok. Beautiful, Hx
What a beautiful list, Antonia! So vulnerable and yet so strong. I especially love #11: kudos to you for unfollowing. Time with your kids will not drop off precipitously after they turn 18 ... unless you want it to. You sound like the kind of mom who will always be there to enjoy and encourage each new chapter of your child's life, and your child will love you for it.
Thank you Annabel. I am currently in the middle of a huge vulnerability hangover ;) I hope I didn't diminish that feeling of constant juggle and exhuastion when they're little and need you so much in every way. Soak it up - all of it and thank you🧡
So moved by this and appreciate the perspective and for you sharing so vulnerably and the language! The nostalgia of a can of peaches, the bedroom door open, time! One that's going to stay with me!
Love this Antonia! My daughter has been at Uni a year now. It is strange thats she’s an adult, but I so enjoy spending time with her now, though have so many flashbacks of little memories when she was younger. It all feels right though. I love the expression ‘don’t push the river’ which came to mind reading the start of this!
Beautful, and really moving. As the mother of a 6-year-old, but with so many friends who have much older kids, I’m so aware of the preciousness of our time together - and yet parenting still feels overwhelming & challenging at times. You capture the complexity so well ❤️
Yes, and yes and yes! And so beautifully put. Everything you say resonates - 18 summers and 92% of our time together already passed; bringing up children as a working mum; master of my own time but constantly, constantly busy! Did I make enough space when there was time to make space? Have I left it too late? Last year I dropped my son off at university, and went straight from that to a few days of solo me time in our caravan. I wept copiously and wondered why on earth I’d come away alone. I reached for a podcast on empty nesting to feel less alone. Eventually, the grief softened. And returning home, life began to feel a bit more spacious. This summer, I’ve loved having him home for the long break and revelled in the fact that he chose to come on holiday with us for two weeks. Now I’m preparing once again for the September farewell. I know this is not the end. I know he’ll be back. I know I’m still his mum. I know this is a new chapter for me as well as for him. I know, I know, but this loving, boy, can it hurt!
Beautiful 💕 I don't have children but your words still spoke to me as I think about my own relationship with my parents, what they may have navigated all those years ago, and how our contact has ebbed and flowed like the waves on a sea and a secret energy that pulls us together. x
That's beautiful 🥹 Mine are 6 and 3, and I already feel this so much.
For what it's worth, I holiday with my parents now, and watching them grandparent is magical! 💕
Thanks for sharing x
Thanks so much for sharing Fiona, And I know he'll be back...going into this next phase with as much presence as possible xo
Really moving. I actually went on some holidays with my parents after 18, lots in fact, so the 'childhood' is in some ways never over x
I did too - and they were so fun! And he's already said yes to next year🧡
That's a big win. We went to the theatre last night and I noticed how few teens were there with their parents/ family. Some 12 yr olds maybe. Great if we can encourage teens to keep doing stuff with us on the odd occasion (somehow! I'm not there yet but maybe someone has the answer)
This is so beautiful! I am not a mother yet, but this is exactly the kind of mother I want to be. I was in tears by the end, thank you so much for sharing!!
Thank you for reading…I’m so glad it resonated with you❤️
Beautiful 💕
Thank you. Feels like I wrote this a lifetime ago x
Oh my days. This one made me emotional. Thank you for writing it. And for sharing it. And for that brilliant advice about writing the piece that won’t stop following you around. That is golden xx
Thank you my love. The vulnerability hangover was real on this one - but it was written with his full permission. We do need to listen to those whispers, cliched as it sounds xo
In tears this morning on the back of yesterday’s results and ahead of a drive north to see the eldest who flew four or is it five years ago. Terrain, yes, it’s strewn with bumps and divots and smooth paths too. One thing my boys do since leaving home I didn’t expect or anticipate and love is that they chat on the phone. They call. They call me, their dad, each other. Long long chats about what’s going on in their lives, our lives. It reminds me of the long phone calls I used to have with my mum. It’s those phone calls that remind me we’re ok. We’re doing more than ok. Beautiful, Hx
All the feels right now, my friend. So much ahead ...I love this and will look forward to it, to staying close still. Sending you love xo
What a beautiful list, Antonia! So vulnerable and yet so strong. I especially love #11: kudos to you for unfollowing. Time with your kids will not drop off precipitously after they turn 18 ... unless you want it to. You sound like the kind of mom who will always be there to enjoy and encourage each new chapter of your child's life, and your child will love you for it.
Thank you so much Marie. The vulnerability hangover is deep and real but we write to connect, don't we? To the next chapter xo
🥹❤️🙏
Ouff - vulnerability hangover which I'm sitting with🧡
Thank you Annabel. I am currently in the middle of a huge vulnerability hangover ;) I hope I didn't diminish that feeling of constant juggle and exhuastion when they're little and need you so much in every way. Soak it up - all of it and thank you🧡
So moved by this and appreciate the perspective and for you sharing so vulnerably and the language! The nostalgia of a can of peaches, the bedroom door open, time! One that's going to stay with me!
Love this Antonia! My daughter has been at Uni a year now. It is strange thats she’s an adult, but I so enjoy spending time with her now, though have so many flashbacks of little memories when she was younger. It all feels right though. I love the expression ‘don’t push the river’ which came to mind reading the start of this!
Ohhhhhhhhh...you express all of this so beautifully, as ever. Sending you love ❤️
Beautful, and really moving. As the mother of a 6-year-old, but with so many friends who have much older kids, I’m so aware of the preciousness of our time together - and yet parenting still feels overwhelming & challenging at times. You capture the complexity so well ❤️
Absolutely sobbing. I just. want. to. pause. time 😭
Yes, and yes and yes! And so beautifully put. Everything you say resonates - 18 summers and 92% of our time together already passed; bringing up children as a working mum; master of my own time but constantly, constantly busy! Did I make enough space when there was time to make space? Have I left it too late? Last year I dropped my son off at university, and went straight from that to a few days of solo me time in our caravan. I wept copiously and wondered why on earth I’d come away alone. I reached for a podcast on empty nesting to feel less alone. Eventually, the grief softened. And returning home, life began to feel a bit more spacious. This summer, I’ve loved having him home for the long break and revelled in the fact that he chose to come on holiday with us for two weeks. Now I’m preparing once again for the September farewell. I know this is not the end. I know he’ll be back. I know I’m still his mum. I know this is a new chapter for me as well as for him. I know, I know, but this loving, boy, can it hurt!
Beautiful 💕 I don't have children but your words still spoke to me as I think about my own relationship with my parents, what they may have navigated all those years ago, and how our contact has ebbed and flowed like the waves on a sea and a secret energy that pulls us together. x