My kids find it humorous and most definitely annoying that I worry over their safety.
“Mom!! I’m 23!!!”… says she.
“Mom!! I’m almost 17!”…. says he.
As if that information nulifies any concerns I might have about their wellbeing.
I don’t sleep until my new driver son is home for the night.
Is that really so crazy? Thankfully, he’s mindful of his curfew and his worried mother.
I envy those who can fall asleep without a care while their kids are out and about.
My husband is one of those people.
Maybe that’s because he knows I’ll carry that burden for him.
I want a text after arrival if my daughter is driving in bad weather conditions to a destination
she is unfamiliar with. Call me nuts, after all she is an adult.
But… it’s a courtesy I will continue to request.
When my son leaves for school in the morning,
more often than not he hears.. “Seat belt! ..and don’t be in a hurry”.
There used to be the eye roll and snotty verbal complaint.. MOM, I KNOW!!!
Lately.. he gives me a smarmy smile
and with a measure of cheer, says “Oh, OK!”.
And it’s really going to have to be.
Because it doesn’t matter how old they get, I will always be their mother.
The years don’t erase the care and concern created by
birthing and raising our children.
I’ve explained this to them, and they tolerate it for now.
But only when they have children of their own will they fully understand.
A few weeks back, my 72 year old mother said to my 47 year old self…
“I don’t want you driving down there alone”.
I knew what I had to say.
“Oh, OK!”.
Well said Karen. Being a parent and being concerned never ends! It comes with the job. After they leave being a teenager it's a little easier, but it never goes away.
I emphathize with you and I am quite sure the loving and caring never end.
My kids once told me that I was the person they texted the most…not by choice of course! 😉 And they were kidding, but still, I know exactly what you mean!
Now that my kids are 25 and almost 21 they are used to me being a little crazy, and they actually text me goodnight…because they want to! 🙂
Kat
Of course age has nothing to do with it at all. Well, you've said it already. It's just… when you care about someone, you want them to be safe 🙂
Love your header photo.
my mother had 8 of us and she never stopped worrying – or praying.
Oh boy do I know how you feel. I have five children, all adults and I still worry about them. It never ends!
I hear ya! My kids are well into adulthood and I still worry about them constantly.
Even at 56 my 78 year young mother still calls me when she hear's we have bad winter weather here in Minnesota. Never mind that I've lived here for 27 years.
I love it when she calls to check in and always will.
Donna
My mom made me call her when I got home from work, or went out on the mower, until she had to move into nursing care at 80 something. Don't feel badly, I do it too! The picture is remarkable!
I will be one of those that lays awake. I even lay awake until my husband gets home, if he's out.
BTW, I also read vampire books. And witch books. I definitely like witch books.
a mom is a mom is a mom……
i still worry about my "no longer live at home" kids…especially when they're driving….
and does my 71 year old mom still worry about my 48 year old self….always. mostly when i'm driving 🙂
xxoo
Once that baby is placed in your arms, the worry begins. I thought it would get better as they grew older…no, the things to worry about get bigger! Every night when I go to bed (with my cell phone close by), I think of all 4 kids and where they are, if they are out. On nights when I know they are all safely at home, I say a prayer of thanks. When they're out, you just have to hand it over to the big guy!
XO,
Jane
I know.
Oh- Karen- Just you wait- it gets worse- Wait until you have grandkids and warn their parents AND them about seat belts and staying safe and they all go..yeah..ok/nana/mama! xo Diana
Mine's coming up on 27 and she still gets texts about freezing rain and sleet and fog and any kind of hazardous weather and/or road conditions!! It's just the way it is. And always will be.
Yes. It never goes away.
I'm the same way ! Even my wife says I'm extreme at times but I can't help it ! The world events lately like ct shooting doesn't help either makes me worse ! I know they will understand one day
I think most of us are this way, Karen. I couldn't sleep either until my newly driving boys were home.
That photo though? Wow.
I know exactly what you mean. My daughter just started her first real job since finishing college. She is a drug and alcohol counselor at a group home from adolescents boys in crisis. Sometimes she travels to the sex offenders home which is more like a jail for boys ages 11-18. Scary for my husband and I. I hate that she is alone with these violent boys. Always the worrying mother!!!
Mothers worry no matter how much time has past, that's for sure. 🙂
I used to do the same thing when my boys were younger – and they had the same reaction – complete with eye rolls and exasperated sighs. My parting shot was generally – "Drive carefully." My need to say it changed when my oldest once replied- "Thanks for reminding me; I'd planned to drive like I was in the Indy 500, crashing into a concrete barrier at over 100 miles an hour but since you said something, I've changed my mind!" (Smart a**!)
It took my youngest one being deployed to Iraq to really get that I was NOT in control of his safety – and that I needed to trust he was as safe in Gods hands in the next room, or on the local highway, as he was in another country headed for IED's!
Letting go of the illusion of control is REALLY hard!