lonely

There's something very comforting about having the computer on and knowing that there's usually someone there to chat to on here [some of us are very much night owls as well]. An empty house feels SO empty, doesn't it but having gransnet on the computer is like having someone else around. I wish I'd had a computer during the times when my marriage broke up and my children moved away. I still would have been upset but it would have helped enormously. You don't have to be a grandmother on here, Ginette; just a kindred spirit [which you are ]....

It gets a little easier as time moves on, but there's always a little ache. I'm glad you've found a place to share it. Welcome.

"welcome" Ginette

Hello Ginette - so pleased that you've chosen us to join up with us! Gransnet may have eased the loneliness of quite a few of us here. Hope to read some of your posts soon.

I am bracing myself for the last one going this autumn, and trying to keep calm as DD tries my patience with pre-exam nerves/clothes strewn all over the floor, keep reminding myself that I will miss the noise and mess when she goes.......

Oh Ginette, I know so well what it's like to miss children when they go off to uni. I've been through it three times now. It was very hard. You miss them so much.

Has she gone very far away? Will she get home at all?

No advice. I used to go on long walks when the missing got too much.

Hello Ginette. Do you have any local activities you can get involved with? Are you working or at home? The best way to combat loneliness is to get busy in your community. I know people who find having a dog to walk is a great way to make friends. There may be a neighbour who needs their dog taken out. The Cinnamon Trust may be able to help.

Ginette, you are not alone although it may feel like it at the moment and this is a very lively forum. Welcome.

I remember when my twins went to university and my husband was away on business, I had to come home by myself to an empty house and I went and sat in their room and put their nightclothes to my nose and smelt them and just sobbed.

It's a tough moment in life but it will pass. As others have said, be proud of your daughter for having the confidence to go off into the world and proud of yourself for having such a good relationship with her. Stock advice is always to distract yourself and find interesting things to do. Easier said than done in my experience but I'm not sure I can offer much more than the hackneyed 'time is a great healer'.

My experience is that the first term is tricky for new undergraduates and they come home quite a bit which helps both sides! I hope you've got some means of making regular contact through phone calls, texts, perhaps Facebook. I think there is a period where the dizziness of the new means they are not in touch much and then it gets better.

Do go out as much as you can and take care of yourself, treat yourself in whatever way makes sense to you.

Sorry to hear you are lonelyGinette please have a look at the posts and join in as you feel we all have something to say about most topic's.
I know how hard it is to have an empty home but your daughter has gained confidence from you to go out into the world as Mishap has said so be proud of yourself for a job well done.
Have you thought of joining any clubs etc to maybe get you out of the house ? once you have taken that first step things do get easier so give it a try and you will most likely meet some ladies going through the same situation who would be glad of your company for a few hours.

Sorry that you are sad at present Ginnette - I remember that feeling when my last child went off to university and set off to take her place in the world independently of us. It was a blip and we picked ourselves up and filled our lives with lots of new interesting things - whilst patting ourselves in the back for giving our children the courage to be independent.

This will pass - you will feel better.

Hi Ginette6957 welcome to GN.

I'm sorry to hear you are lonely. Do have a nosey through the forums. I'm sure there will be some topics that interest you. GillT57 is right it can get addictive and before you know it you will be wondering how you found time to do everything else.

P.S There are often local meet ups so maybe some members in your area who would be happy to get together. Where are you btw?

welcome Ginette. There are lots of discussions going on here, just dip in and contribute! Your opinions, like everyone's are welcome. You will soon make lots of online friends on here and beware, it can start taking over your day!

(Sad)