10 Things I Won't Miss

Here are 10 things I also thought of after writing the article, "What Will I Do When He Leaves Me?". These are things I won't miss when my youngest son leaves home. I know parents of teenagers can relate to these as well.

Parents, on a serious note, enjoy your children as long as you can, for as long as they allow you to. The years do go by quickly. I miss those times with my children very much.

1. I Won't Miss: Living With A Teenager

All parents of teenagers know exactly what I mean. Those of you who will be parents of teenagers in the near future, will understand what I'm talking about soon enough.

2. I Won't Miss: Waking Up Early

I wake up an hour earlier during the week to make sure my son is woke, and getting ready for school. Don't let him miss the school bus and I lose time getting ready for work. Oh boy, he hears my mouth from the time we leave the house until I drop him off at school. There might be two or three other boys from his school, who missed the bus also, that I will drop off. I wonder who is responsible for getting them to school on time.

3. I Won't Miss: Radio Station Quarrels

When we go somewhere in my car, my son immediately reaches to change the radio station. We constantly disagree on this one. We've learned to just compromise when it comes to the radio stations we listen to in the car.

4. I Won't Miss: Waiting for the Computer

It's a shame how I have to wait to use my own computer. There's music downloads, MySpace, online games, and more. My son enjoys using the computer as much as I do. I have to practically pull him away from the computer so I can use it.

5. I Won't Miss: Cooking Dinner

I cook my son a hot meal almost every night of the week. I try to give myself a break for one or two nights during the week, and on the weekends. I might cook on those days, if I'm in a good mood. I'm sure I'll lose a few pounds when he leaves home, since I probably won't cook too much.

6. I Won't Miss: My House Phone Ringing

My house phone rings 95% of the time for my son. If the caller doesn't leave a message or call my cell phone, I know it's for him. I barely answer the house phone when he's in the house, and I keep my cell phone close.

7. I Won't Miss: His Cell Phone

My son is always on his cell phone. I'm sure most parents have this same issue. Don't get me wrong, the cell phone does have it's pros and cons. This is one of the topics I talk about in my article, "What Happened To My Baby?". I refer to what children have available to them now, compared to their parents when they were children.

8. I Won't Miss: His Mall Nights

Dropping my son off and picking him up from the mall. I don't like when he is not where I told him to be, when it's time to be picked up. I definitely don't want to get out of my car and go inside looking for him.

9. I Won't Miss: Resolving His Disagreements

I have to resolve disagreements between my son and his friends, when he doesn't seem to be handling his business. I have to deal with other parents sometimes. This is one thing about parenting I definitely can do without. Being a single parent doesn't make it any easier. I do not like conflict. I do not like these situations at all, not at all!

10. I Won't Miss: His Social Life

I won't miss my son's social life. When he was younger he kept me even busier. His social life is my social life. The sports events, birthday parties, skating, mall nights, and the list goes on. At the same time neglecting my own social life.