In other big news, some washed-up TV actress asked her kid if he wanted an apple, and he said NO! OMG!

your probably right Laurie.

I agree. In the beginning mothers are so close to their sons. It's a very special relationship. Mothers and daughters tend to compete and compare but seem to get closer as they grow older and especially when a daughter becomes a mother herself. Sons though they need to go out and conquer the world. Good thing tho is if you let them go, they come back and always hold their mothers on a pedestal.

I agree with that saying. Women have different relationships with their daughters. However, teenagers want to go off and do their own thing and be with their friends. That's a good thing though... it wouldn't be normal if a teenager was still clinging to Mommy and Daddy all the time. It's part of growing up.

I'm a daughter and I couldn't wait to get the hell away from my crazy mother. Son's are great. I wouldn't trade my two boys for daughters ever. Girls are cute when they are little and you can dress them up. Then they grow up to be Catty B***h's.

As the mother of two sons, now married with their own families, I have to completely disagree with that old saying. My sons are loving, thoughtful and never hesitated to invite me places or had/have issues just hanging out with me.
But you also have to be willing to allow any child to grow up and become independent. Not having a seat for her on the plane is not rejection and if she sees it that way she needs to seek some therapy. Talk about trying to give her son a guilt trip. Perhaps that is the difference between boys and girls, boys are less likely to fall for this type of manipulative behavior.
I will take boys over girls and their drama anyday.

Thank you for an honest response! What 18 year old boy would not love that life!!

I was thinking that same thing (about them grieving or not when I die). Maybe our jobs as mothers are over with when they become adults and we can let them go get into their own lives. I neither want to be in the way nor too far away. Just know you were a "success" if they are on their own now. Its your time for you anyway and the rubberband theory might still apply...you pull away, they come closer. It should be comforting to all mothers and fathers that their kids have their own lives and have left the nest. Remember who you were before you were a parent? Now you can continue your development as a person and improve yourself without worrying about your offspring.

HOW TRUE SOME CHILDREN NEVER CARE ABOUT THERE PARNETS ONLY WHAT THAT THEY CAN GIVE THEM.

AND WHEN THEY CAN'T THEN THEY ARE NOT GIVEN THE RESPECT THAT THEY SHOULD IT IS A SAD WORLD OUT THERE.

BUT AS THE SAYING GOES WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND.

I'm sure your child will grieve, even if your were a terrible parent. My ex passed when my kids were 10 and 12 he was in and out of their lives, however, at ages 17 and 15 they still grieve.

Valerie, I hope as you read these comments you take the negative ones with a grain of salt. I'm so sorry you must endure these thoughtless words from people because you are a celebrity. It just doesn't seem fair. I only know you from TV; but a mom is a mom no matter what. Of course you miss your son, you love him more than life itself. A wise man (son) will realize and cherish the bond between him and his mother as he progresses into adulthood. A real man has the ability to love his mother,his wife, his daughter, etc. But this is something his father must teach him. I've never even met you; but I know you feel the same things that most of us mothers feel. I hope your son will always love you as much as you love him.

Teresa, you are absolutely right. AOL is starting to really annoy me with their "teaser" story headlines that imply something so much more than what the story really is. And it's like most of the posters never even bother to read the story itself before mouthing off.

I didn't intend to be harsh in my comment. I meant that this is a normal part of development and not to take it personally. I am sure that Valerie's son loves her but at 18 they are just so into themselves that they need to establish their emotional independence as well as their physical.I was trying to normalize something that really is the norm for 18 yr olds period, not just sons.Now my 4 kids are in their forties! and they are very sweet to mom.