My nest is empty again. The twins have moved back to college for their sophomore year. One moved back into a dorm. The other chose an apartment with friends.
It wasn’t nearly as hard this time. We all kind of knew what to expect. I think they both learned that the more you move in, the more you have to move out.
I was scheduled to work the days of move-in and we were so thankful to have the two older kids available to help with moving. We have such a great kids! It went incredibly smoothly.
About two weeks before moving, I could tell the twins were getting anxious to get out of here. They had had the taste of freedom, and they were ready to be independent again. And honestly I was ready too. Not that I don’t love having them here. I really do. But it’s that “executive decision making“ that moms do when the kids are home.
“Is everyone going to be home for dinner tonight?“
If I’m going to be making dinner, I need to know how many people I’m cooking for. And are any of your friends going to be over here and do they have food allergies?
“Is someone gonna be home to let the dogs out?“
If no one’s going to be home, then I’m the one that has to figure out who can come and help us out.
“Oh you’re working tonight? I thought you were going to help mow the lawn?”
So now I have to help mow the lawn right?
“Did you apply for your student loans yet?”
No, but I’ll remind you again tomorrow.
It’s these kinds of things that I don’t have to worry about when all the kids are gone. I call it being the CEO of the family. I don’t have to keep their schedules. I don’t have to try to remember if they’re gonna be home for dinner or not. I know that it’s just gonna be me and my husband. There’s no need for a CEO when it’s just the two of us. It’s more of just a partnership.
What has been hard for me in the past is letting go of the powers of the CEO position. The first year was very hard. But as they stumbled, I watched and listened and advised. This year I plan on letting go a little bit more, allowing them to flounder, fail, and flourish on their own.
All while I sit and wait for their phone calls.
