What age do you let your kids go?

[The Pom Queen]

I'm sorry but I'm one of those over protective mums, my eldest has just turned 18 and past their driving test (P's) so now has the freedom to go anywhere and already is talking about going with a group of other PPlaters on a 3 day drive and camping trip. I'm so worried.
Tonight was the first night he has driven alone and I made him ring me when he arrived at his destination and when he left, the sarcastic beggar even rang me when he got home.
I suppose I need to stop being this over protective mum but it's so hard, did other parents find it hard?

[Shell15]

Yep! There our babies, no matter how old they are and so our natural instinct is to protect them and make sure there safe. I always remember the saying about not wrapping them to tight in cotton wool..they eventually have to go out into the big wide world and find out for themselves what its all about, while as a parent we have to learn to sit in the background and allow them the independence they need to grow and develop into wonderful young adults (yikes!). Hard to do but after a few times it does get a little easier..Good luck x

[Freckleface]

When my sister was getting divorced I overheard my mum talking to my grandmother about how worried she was about my sister. My mum asked my grandmother how old your children have to be before you stop worrying about them. In response my grandmother asked my mum - 'what makes you think I have stopped worrying about you?' My mum was in her 60's at the time.

Although my kids are adults I still want to protect them - as ridiculous as it sounds (and was) when my son was in Afghanistan I thought he would be safer if I could be there with him.

You don't have to let go all at once but you do have to force yourself to let them go little bit by little bit. If you love them set them free (gradually).

[AKA]

Personally Kate I don't like my two Herbert's.

I have 'Dad' danced when their friends are around, walked around in just my pants, picked them up from school in a Citroen 2CV, but NOTHING seems to make them want to leave home.

The last resort is to tell them that they are not my children and to go and find their real father, a sailor apparently with a penchant for Morris Dancing.

On a serious note, it's difficult to let go, all of us (kids) are well into adulthood, but does that stop my parents worrying, never, comes with the terrority really I think, and in all honesty, long may it reign.

[Munchkinella]

I still worry about mine and they're 27 & 29 ...and my DD is married with kiddies!


When my DD got her own place, she would still ring me as she walked home from an evening work shift, she knew I worried about her.

Also when DS was at a Uni he would phone me regularly to let me know what he was up to for the same reason.


We are a very close family and both of them say they felt protected by us.

IMO When you become a parent it is your job for life?


I wouldn't have it any other way and I am lucky that my children are both safe and happy........and truly
Blessed that we are all together here!

[The Pom Queen]

Some lovely replies there everyone, thanks for that, so I suppose the bottom line is, I'm always going to be a protective mother.

[AKA]

One of the hardest things Kate is to realise they HAVE to make their own mistakes in life and hopefully learn from it.

To a degree Ruth will do as much as she can to protect them, of course I worry and stress, but until they make a huge cock up they are never going to learn.

Like your son, Anna has only been driving for 6 months and she can't understand why I sit up until all hours waiting for the key in the door.

I'm fed up with saying, 'Wait Till You Have Kids'.

[Salma]

reading all those messages has made me miss my mum :(

[AKA]

reading all those messages has made me miss my mum :(

Aye Salma, mums are a special breed of folk indeed.

You 'think' they will always be there don't you.

[Freckleface]

reading all those messages has made me miss my mum :(