My son is my last child at home. He recently turned 21. He has his first girlfriend and a job and a car. I’ve been waiting for him to say he’s going to move into a house with some of his friends. This morning (Monday), before he went to work, he did just that. “What do you think mom?” He asked. What was I supposed to say? I knew it was coming. I just wish it hadn’t. I haven’t lived alone since 1986.

I’m looking for a house to buy. Since I’m on disability and without an income other than what I get from the government my mother is helping me with the financing. I’m hoping my son will stay with me until I move. There are two reasons for this. First, I need his help throwing stuff out. I make a small pile every day to go to the dumpster and he takes it out for me. I need his muscles. Second, I feel like it will be easier for me to be alone in a smaller house that I can take care of things myself in. Here I have to go up or down two sets of stairs with groceries. He usually does that for me. There are a lot of reasons I want him to wait, but let’s be honest… I’ll miss him and feel like I need his support with this whole moving situation (mine and his).

I don’t know what will end up happening, but it will be a challenge. It scares me.