The Child Rearing Yearning (CRY) Institute announces that it has released a new resource kit for parents readying their lives, homes, and hearts for the day just months ahead of when their
CRY's new manual is designed especially for a small discussion group (ideally, one crying parent, one lonely cup of coffee in the pre-dawn hours) but may be used in a larger group, preferably one that is not popping champagne corks while enlisting an architect to redesign the soon to be empty upstairs bedroom.
"Transitions and Golden Sunsets" is a workbook compiled by CRY for those who have made the choice to view this season of life as a time to linger and ruminate on the days of being an at home parent to the baby they waited their entire life for. CRY's guides and videos are divided into six-90 minute sections, each covering such topics as Torturing Yourself with the First Baby Tooth Pictures, My Baby Says Mama! essay section, and The Mommy and Me Remember Me Please music circle tapes.
CRY kit owners will be encouraged to explore and examine their feelings about this day of launching that is approaching faster than a bullet train. Assignments will discuss expectations such as Disc One: How Much Crying is Too Much Crying and desensitization of feelings, Disc Two: Baby Steps To Walking Past His Now Empty Room.
Our manual offers information on the latest research regarding the needs of those recently struggling with the new face of displacement. (Contest info included! Send us your photographs! Could YOU be our next face?) Don't look away, because together with CRY's online forum, parents will be instructed in ways that reflect their own values and interests on how to fill the hours of their days until the first school break. Aptitude tests are included to help with re-awakening 30-year-old dormant interests and prompts to encourage new areas of possible exploration.
Sections of self-assurance are offered in which topics such as Did My Parenting Even Matter, to Will He Remember The Time I Let Him Make Me Into His Pony For Twelve Hours, will be covered.
At each chapter's end, tips are offered on ways to develop a supportive community and to recognize the need for renewal of spirit and appreciation for the days of the golden past. Homework reading assignments of This Is You 2.0!, complete with journaling and worksheets provided. Extra credit is given for documented hours out of the home. Well-meaning attempts to leave, such as a fresh change of clothes before 11 a.m. are given half credit.
The CRY kit may be used individually, though we recommend it be implemented in like-minded parenting groups, where company will serve as a source of distraction and quasi-substitute for your child's presence.
- FriendMatch.com is available as an upgrade to CRY's Platinum package level.
- At special request, CRY offers its Diamond package, for those whose child's absence is felt deeply and excruciatingly to the soul.
- CRY will provide unlimited phone and email support to those who evidence need. Personal statement is sufficient.
CRY wants to be there for you. Please email handleitmama@homenomore.org or send us a note snail mail, every day. It will fill the time while you wait out your child's request of a minimum of four hours between texts.
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Other Places You Can Find Me This Week:
This is the best laugh i've had in days. I think I have dealt pretty well with the first one out of the nest but there's another one ar home taking up the slack with the drama. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteIf you think the first one is hard, just wait until it's the baby. I'm still suffering and it's been years. There have been a few perks... grandchildren.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Meg. We have to find the bright spot, right? And Ms. A: JUST DON'T EVEN TELL ME!
ReplyDeleteIt happens TOO FAST. I realized the other day how few years I have left until my eldest leaves home (which, by the way, is the exact same number of years until your baby leaves home, because they're the same age), and I FREAKED OUT. This is hysterical. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteHow timely!!! I am taking eldest to the college fair today...now I am sure I am correct in assuming that there will be a table of chocolates and tissues for the mothers, or at the very least private "pull it together" stalls?
ReplyDeleteoh this is a big turning point...the letting go and allowing them to make decisions we will never know about...eeep...i am sure yours is ready....if we take the time to teach them....they are...
ReplyDeleteCan I get the materials now in preparation for my mental breakdown in 18 years?
ReplyDeleteI'd like to suggest a slight change to the title: "...with Firstborn SONS Leaving Home." Because as many mothers of teenage daughters will tell you, a strong, independent girl does her best to ease her mother's pain about her departure. :)
ReplyDeleteYou so funny, Alexandra.
OK my oldest still lives at home and has given us a grandbaby.. woot woot.. the Baby swears he will never leave home. At this point my only glimmer is the middle one who wants to go to college and major in music.
ReplyDeleteYou are effing brilliant, lady. I laughed and laughed ... and then bookmarked this post for that day fast approaching when my darling tiny baby shuffles his hairy, smelly body off to ... The Future. #sigh #cry #laugh #allemotionsatonce
ReplyDeleteOh, @angelshrout and @mannahattamamma: you are good people. Thank you, I'm thrilled for him. I AM. He got into the college of his choice with a full scholarship. But the thought of that empty room, well, we all know me, right? My first baby... the one I waited a lifetime for. I want to be around NO ONE tossing confetti and making plans for the emptynestpartyhouse. xo
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ReplyDeleteSigh...my first will be my last as well. I've been thinking and crying about this for years now and he is "only" in the 4th grade (if the first 10 years felt this fast I can't imagine how the next 8 will be).
ReplyDeleteI've been thinking of you a lot in terms of all this, Alexandra, ever since I saw your FB post of your son applying for college. You're handling it with such sweetness and humor. You could be on to something here too, with this kit. Hugs to you and your oldest. I can only imagine the swelling of so many different emotions right now.
You're so adorable. And funny and sweet and talented, and I will save my sternest look for any child who tells you to hold back your texts to once every four hours.
ReplyDeleteWe should be able to send three-year-olds to college, and keep the 18-year-olds.
I wish I could tell you it gets easier, but it doesn't. It's like childbirth, you just know how bad it's going to be when the next one happens. We're supposed to be happy for them, and we are, but take the time to be sad and don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
ReplyDeleteTen bucks says someone comes out with this for reals….
ReplyDeleteI have such marvelous friends. Thanks, everyone. Promise you'll be here for me in September? xo
ReplyDeleteOh boy. Can I put my name on the waiting list for this? I fear I'm already mourning my babies leaving, and I've got 5 years to go. Which might as well be five minutes.
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