The last of my five grandchildren is now 16 and I haven't been needed for after-school care for a couple of years. Like you, I missed it like fury! But I suppose that as I have been through it before I was able to see it as the natural progression it is. Now, though, when my DD is away for the occasional weekend I am back as taxi driver! Still needed, just in a different way. The point is, we grandparents are always needed in one way or another - even if it is just in the knowledge and acceptance that we are just 'there'. It's such a privilege to have been able to be part of their growing up, isn't it? My 18yo DGD, who is training to be a dancer, has asked me to go with her when she is performing in a place where we lived for a few years when my DD was small. "Then you can show me the places you remember and we can have special granddaughter and Nanny time". Something like this will come to you as well, believe me. In the meantime I feel sure you will find ways to fill what you see as the empty hours and will come to enjoy your 'you' time as well. Lots of love.