“spandex and short shorts and halter tops” I’m going to threaten Rob with that next time he misbehaves.

-d.

I want you home soon, but more than that I want you to feel like there are people on your side while you’re out there. People at home keeping things going. People who love you no matter what. Don’t forget that when you’re facing the enemy out there. Keep your shields and your chin up and you’ll make it through. Stay hydrated!

M@

Russia and Georgia have settled. Signs are just signs. People are just people.

I think what’s triggered this is probably a mix of homesickness (where are you from?) and sadness at your boy growing up and moving on.

As far as that’s concerned, embrace it! It’s a joy to see them reach out and expand their horizons and grow and develop, if you can try to see that joy. I know there’s a lot of fear, too. When my oldest (also called Jacob, btw) went away to university I was convinced he wouldn’t manage. My Jacob wasn’t a ‘manager’ – he was clumsy, unco-ordinated, disorganised, shy .. but he learned, and he came home from university a ‘manager’, and now he’s a competent adult living in his own home, running his own car, both bought by himself. You don’t lose a child, you gain an older child. You gain an adult child. Each stage is good.

And perhaps you might like to ponder on this: I considered that my job as a parent was to make sure that my children reached the age of adulthood able to fend for themselves and be independent in every possible way. That doesn’t happen overnight. You hand over control and responsibility in small pieces over the years. Right now, your boy is taking a little bit more as he moves on to High School. Be proud of him, and of the job you’re doing as a mother!