dotty- i love your idea! independence for our kids is so difficult. i pressured my first born to leave the nest and i'm very sure it was harder on me than him. i still feel bad about it. but he is grown up, has a good job, a loving wife, and a gorgeous little daughter. everything i could want for him. i still miss the young version of my children, being able to hold them on my lap, and kiss their heads, soothe their worries away. now i can't reach the boys' heads, but at least my daughter is my height! all three live away- 2 in texas, one in ny. i hate growing up!