As much as I’m sure we all love and adore our children and have given up so much for them and spent so much on them, I think it’s fair to say that when the last one moves out…it’s time for a party…adults only!

As we raise our kids and realize their lives are our lives (my teens will tell you I don’t have a life) we know that this is the way it is supposed to be. Parents are responsible for their kids and ensuring they get a good education, are exposed to multiple growing opportunities to discover who they are, and we stay home while they socialize…all part of their development into adults.

But now they've left and it’s time to think about what we will do with all this place and their space. First, pack away whatever they left behind because we are their warehouse it seems until they have their own place. But call in the home renovators, the estimators, and the construction dudes…the place is all ours again!

What will you do for your “kids have left” party? Oh, it’s usually more than one day because there is so much to do and enjoy. For me:

• All my stuff from the basement gets to come upstairs and reside in their rightful resting place, the kids’ rooms.

• I get to set up the TV room the way I want and learn to use the remote control and know that my favorite channels will always be on.

• I get to start getting dressed, go get breakfast, and go finished getting dressed without fear or admonishments.

• I will set my laptop up on the dining room table because we won’t be eating supper there anymore (remember, I set up my TV room) and their friends won’t be coming over either.

But let’s also plan for an actual party and it’s for people your age only.

• Unlock the liquor and never fear that it will disappear or seem to taste watery.

• Order lots of pizza and other junk food because gone are the days when you have to remind the little rascals to “eat all your vegetables”.

• Get your friends over BUT…they cannot bring their kids if they still live at home. Note, they will remember this when they have their own “kids have left” party.

• Get out a deck of cards, your favorite board game (throw the kid’s games away) and prepare to regale your friends with all the wonderful things you can do now that you’re “free”.

Heavy sigh because the day is not here yet…but it’s coming, yeah!

Will I miss them? Yes. Will they come to visit? They had better. Will I still have my party? A big YES and a pat on the back for a parenting job well done.

Oh, gotta go, the doorbell just rang. The grand kids are here.