My big problem is that the kids have GONE AWAY. She should let them go!

If you don't let them go when they go away to college, when exactly are you going to let them stand on their own two feet, independent of you?

Not going away with your DH because the kids--who are at college!--need you, seems WAAAAAY over the top.

If it's an excuse, as Grinity suggest, she really should have come up with a better one!

IMnot-soHO...

Kriston