it's 3:30 pm-school's out and no kids coming home!, kids grown, who the heck am i now?????? Options

[dissie]

watched oprah today, very on target with anyone in the beginning or middle of raising kids. they talked of "losing" themselves, who are they now and where did their old life go. think it's confusing after 5 yrs or under??? what about trying 20-30 yrs of the term "mom" being your identity, and then poof!!!!! you did your job well as ceo of home and they are independent. the house suddenly "down-sized" and your job was cut. try "re-inventing" yourself without using any of the terms associated with mom duties. anyone relate????

[superstitious]

You are a 30 year old woman on a web design forum filled with people half your age.

And? Last I checked, there wasn't a maximum age restriction.

This is why I'm never letting my identity completely depend on my "job." Just because you are a mom doesn't mean you should let "mom" become all that you are. Get a hobby or something to occupy your time.

Absolutely. I'll admit to going through certain times when I felt like I wasn't my own person. Fact is, you are never just you're own person after you have a child. At one point you find the balance with being a parent and being an individual. It takes time and there will always be certain times when you feel like nothing is about you anymore.

Find something that you might enjoy that is outside your parental responsbilities and do it soon. If you think that you're lost now, wait until your children get older.

Feel free to PM whenever you feel like venting or would like some friendly advice. My son is 9 years old and I completely understand what you may be going through (although I've never been a stay at home mom). :)