Six Steps To Getting Over An ‘Empty Nest’

Kimberly Lewis Jul 10, 2012 · 2 min read

Restored from the Empower Network archive (2011–2017), lightly edited to meet our current advertising standards. Views are the original author’s.

Yesterday was our first full day of having an empty nest.

As much as I told people that I would enjoy a quiet household without all of the running around, I secretly miss having our girls at home. Now, our oldest has been gone for two years; we’re used to that. But our youngest has now left and she’s not even in college. Click here to read my previous blog about how I really feel about becoming an emptynester!

Anyway, it was just us and Mr. Bentley, our dog. You can see he was NOT concerned about the children being gone.

I did some research on empty-nest syndrome and found some helpful information.

Here are six steps that will help you get over having an empty nest.

1. PLAN AHEAD:
It’s never too early to start planning and talking to your child about the future.

2. GET TO KNOW YOUR SPOUSE:
Look at the positive: This is a time for you and your husband to rekindle your romance, have privacy in the house, travel, get to know one another again.

3. MAKE A DREAM LIST:
Make a list of things you always wanted to do but couldn’t because you were raising your kids. Maybe it’s pottery, writing or learning the piano. Maybe it’s finding a new career or going back to school. You are never too old to learn. Don’t pick something that will take many years to complete, but something that interests you.

4. AVOID BIG CHANGES:
Don’t make big moves yet. Give yourself time to adjust rather than suddenly selling the house or moving. It takes most people between one and a half to two years to fully adjust.

5. TALK TO OTHER EMPTY-NESTERS:
One problem with empty-nest syndrome is that you won’t get much sympathy from those who never went through it. To them it is just a normal part of life. So look to someone who went through it fairly recently. Talking with your partner will make you feel closer to him.

6. PREPARE YOUR CHILD:
Preparing your child is good for your child and it’s also good for you. This way you won’t have to worry: Can they do laundry? Balance a check book? If not, teach them now. If they are not prepared, they will continue to rely on you, which isn’t good for either of you, so make sure you have taught them the essentials. Then try hard to let them go and be proud of yourself for the fine job of parenting you have done.

At times I feel sad or fear what my role in life is now. I have major adjustments in what I do each day, how I view myself and how my marriage functions. However…..

It is a WONDERFUL feeling that we’ve prepared our children to be independent and successful in today’s world. We are very proud of them as they grow into healthy adults.

To Your Prosperity

CLICK TO HERE IF YOU WANT TO DO SOMETHING NEW BUT COULDN’T BECAUSE YOU WERE RAISING KIDS

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