Anyone else enjoying the empty nest?

Sally - posted on 09/06/2010

Everyone sounds so content being an empty nester. This is very different than the "Off to College" posts that sound so heartbreaking. (I'm one of the heartbroken.) How long does it take to go from "I miss her terribly" to "Hooray, I am independent woman!"?

Bonnie - posted on 08/18/2010

We have a beautiful daughter who is now 23 and we love her very much. She moved out to go to Univ. 5 yrs ago and although we miss her very much, we are also enjoying our couple time. We are going on cruises and travelling and getting back on track with each other. It's been great and we still see our daughter every other month or more.

Denise - posted on 05/25/2010

A friend of mine once said, "Denise, if they DON'T want to live with you, then you did your job right." I am a single mom, with two kids (26 and 22), one lives in NYC and the other in Syracuse, NY. I talk to them all the time, usually daily, and love them both to pieces. Now, I have said to others "If they love you, still want to come home to visit and enjoy talking with you, then your did your job right." I do work so I am busy during the day, but I do love the peace and quiet of being home alone. Except for the cat, who has become extremely bossy now that she is the only other living creature here! I think I have become the pet and she is the owner.

Jolene - posted on 05/07/2010

My nest was empty but not one has to be here.. how do i adjust to that again??

Julia - posted on 05/04/2010

It took me a good six months to adjust, but I must admit YES I am now enjoying the experience. Ok, it might help that my baby will be home in a month for the summer, but it will be her last one. After 20 years of being "mom" first, it took some time to get used to the new status! :) Love reading the posts on the site--nice to know it is a shared experience!

Julia

Charmin - posted on 04/23/2010

It is wonderful! I raised 3 beautiful children and the hardest part is figureing ot what I like to really eat because I always cooked something they wanted. I spend hours in the grocery looking and trying to find something to cook. It really is funny. I wake up fix a cup of coffee and get back in bed! I do wish mygrand babies lived next door!.

Kathleen - posted on 04/04/2010

We raised two fabulous kids, now 27 and 25. We always stayed connected with each other though we were very active with our kids. They both live on the other side of the country, so we don't see them often. When the last one left, we started Square Dancing. It has been the best activity in which to be involved. We dance several nights a week. Have the added benefit of great exercise, great people and places to travel. Empty nest?? We don't have time.

Anncanavan99 - posted on 04/02/2010

I know what you mean, both of my children live near us and that is great as we get to see the grandchildren alot. They know that we are there for them but we now can get our lives back and that is the a wonderful experience again

Kathy - posted on 04/01/2010

I so agree, with all of you. I raised two wonderful children. My oldest is married and is expecting our second grandchild. Our youngest is finishing his last year of college. We love them. They know we will be there for them. I talk more with my daughter but have fb with son, and talk with him at least once a week. I want them to be able to make it with out us, but know that if they need us they can call. My husband and I love seeing them and are happy when they leave too. My husband and I are getting to know each other again and that is pretty great! There are so many way to communicate that I feel close to my children. Enjoy getting to know yourself is my new motto!

Anncanavan99 - posted on 03/25/2010

I love it, I wouldn't trade it for the world. I raised two boys and they are gone and married with kids of there own, I love when they visit but I also like My husband and mu alone time

Rene - posted on 03/25/2010

I absolutely enjoy my little nest more than ever. Since my daughter left 2 years ago many adjustments had to be made i.e the way I cook, manage my home, but to be honest I enjoy living to my own drumbeat and doing things at a whim! I keep in touch with her daily so our relationship is still vibrant and growing. The added benefit is also of course my hubby and I can now go on date nights, eat at irregular times and do activities that interest us and is no longer child-centered. Being an empty nester is just great! We do miss her terribly, but it feels wonderful that we have reared an independent, ambitious young woman who is fearlessly pursuing her dreams.

Teresa - posted on 03/22/2010

i was lost at first...and i still miss some of the things..but let me tell you..WOOT!!!! i am lovin my life!!!!

CHERYL - posted on 03/04/2010

I raised 2 children who are 33 ans 32 and I can tell you I enjoyed it throughly...........and now that I am retired and an Empty Nester life has gotten even better

Margaret - posted on 02/20/2010

Mine was empty for a while, but the youngest moved back home after he got laid off. He's usually gone on weekends. I love having my kids around, but I enjoy the empty nest as well. My mom always said that her job as a mother was to work her way out of a job. I kind of feel that way, too. I'm glad that I'm friends with my kids now. I enjoy being with them and cherish those times.

Rae - posted on 02/12/2010

Hi! I only have one daughter who will be going off to college this August. I am SO looking forward the empty nest. Many of my friends a people I talk to think I am a bad mom for feeling that way or that I am just being selfish. I see it as I have given the last 17 yrs. completely to her as my husband hasn't been the most envolved. I am anxious to find "me"!. I have recently left my job to stay home.

Connie - posted on 02/05/2010

I love my kids and support them all the way, but they are healthy being out on their own. I wouldn't trade the empty nest for anything. Now I'm finally free to pursue my dreams, and if it all works out as I dreamed, they and their families will have a part in it too.

Brenda - posted on 01/28/2010

I loved being a mother. I had four children (including a set of twins) in less than three years. We did crafts together, read stories, baked cookies, etc., etc. I loved having four teenagers in the house, along with all their friends. And I enjoyed when they moved out. Now I love seeing my children and my eight grandchildren, but I also love my alone time when they are gone. Now, if I could only afford to retire so I'd have more of it!

Bonita - posted on 01/16/2010

Empty Nest. Absolutely. I feel lost. Nobody needs me anymore. No need to cook. No stacks of laundry to fold. No football or basketball practice. No homework to help with.

No parent-teacher conferences. No putting together toys after midnight Christmas Eve. No school clothes shopping. No strollers, lectures, sleepovers, gingerbread house building, clean up you room yelling, good night kisses, cookie baking, birthday parties, carnivals, zoos, boogie boards and sun tan lotion, baby jammies to football uniforms, day care to dating. Wow. I could go on and on. Do we ever stop worrying about our kids? I am lost but learning to live a new life.

Diane - posted on 01/07/2010

I definitely know where you're coming from! I raised 4 that I wouldn't trade for the world (wait - make an offer on my son. . .) I am thoroughly enjoying my empty nest. It's been about 11 years and I have never in all that time wanted them back in my home. I visit as often as I can, but it's not for long periods. My youngest kid, a girl, told her senoir high classmates that, "Poor Mom will have Empty Nest Syndrome of a different sort when I leave; she'll be walking around pumping her fist in the air shouting, 'YES! YES!'

Sandy - posted on 01/05/2010

I have six children myself. My "baby" of 18 moved out two months ago...I was TERRIFIED that I would CRY EVERY DAY!! Funny thing happened on the way to the Empty Nesting thing....I LIKED IT!! I ADORE my children and grandchildren....but my husband and I got to RECONNECT and it has been awesome! Now I have to add that my 18-yr-old IS moving back home in a couple of weeks...but just for awhile to get into college and move out again. I really didn't expect to take this so well. I DO keep in touch with ALL my kids REGULARLY, so that helps, I guess. Anyway, I'm with you, Timmi! It has been Niiiiiiice! :)

Bobbie - posted on 01/02/2010

Oh I agree with you completely. It has been 3 years for me now as well. I am settled into a routine that takes the place of remembering everyone's schedule, which I don't miss!
My road was a rough one at first because I felt guilty, why? Who knows, but that was my first emotion. I ran through all the things that I did wrong with them. Then I went through other emotions like loss, and sadness. When it gave way to happiness I found myself enjoying pure silence. It was the most beautiful sound! Every morning now I see my husband off to work then in complete silence I sit in the semi darkness and sip hot tea and just think.
I realize in making myself content and happy I have given my grown children the very thing they have always wanted......I over heard my oldest daughter say "Mom is happy, she has the time to do things for herself now and does them. I can still call on her anytime I need her but I don't need to check on her like I use to."

Julie - posted on 11/30/2009

Yes!! I have raised 5 wonderful children. The last went off to college this year. I am enjoying "MY" time for the first time in over 30 years. I enjoy when the kids and grandchildren come to visit, but also enjoy my space when they are gone. It allows me to actually do things for me for the first time in my life.

Anne - posted on 09/15/2009

In a Word YES!!!! Even though My Husband and I love our daughters, 21 and 25 Years old, we are enjoying our Empty Nest Years. WE just got back from a 10 day vacation where we did what we wanted to do. WE will be married 30 years Dec. 29th and because we go to CO for Christmas to spend time with his family ( Yes I really do love doing this every year) our Anniversary sometimes gets but on the back burner. So we decided to use our vacation to celebrate this Milestone.

Peggy - posted on 09/05/2009

We raised three children, they all went to college and we moved into a new house once they were all moved out. Fortunately, we have some extra bedrooms because my son moved back in for a year or so, then my expectant daughter moved in til baby was a few months old, then my oldest daughter had complications with my grandsons birth missed a lot of work and lost her job so she moved back in with her son who is now five. She is finally moving out next month and I am so looking forward to the empty nest. I will still pick up the kids from kindergarten a few days a week and babysit which will be fine. I will be sewing, planning my youngest daughters wedding, arranging flowers and maybe getting and ebay business up and running again. I don't know if I'll have time for empty nest. I don't think anyone should feel guilty about enjoying the empty nest.

Debra - posted on 09/04/2009

I really haven't had enough time to adjust as someone is always living here for "awhile". I will be glad to have time to myself for a change. It does get lonely when no one is here and I don't have as much motivation to get up and go! I just bought a new sewing machine to keep my mind occupied.

Balsano - posted on 09/01/2009

I have raised three great kids but the last one moved out in April, 2009 and got a job in Hawaii. I miss him but my husband and I are enjoying the quiet. We go out to the movies once a week and eat meals out. It was hard at first but finally starting to enjoy it.