I've some of the same feelings going on here. Could it be we are feeling a little less "needed" (maybe on an emotional level), even though things do not seem to have changed much? My DD turned 14 earlier this Spring and has begun her Freshman year in Highschool. I think of how quickly the past four years have flown and what the next four will bring. Life seems to go at such a fast clip during these child raising years that there isn't enough time to do all the things I'd like to do with mine and I realize the time will soon be gone. Sometimes I feel like the younger child demands more attention, therefore getting more attention, leaving me feeling like I'm not doing the older one justice.

We see our children carving out a life of their own. . .good friends, becoming self sufficient, etc. and although we are proud of them and happy for them, and its what we've striven for, we still feel a little sadness knowing the days are coming that we won't be THE most important thing in their lives anymore.