Anyone suffering from empty nest syndrome?

Sandra - posted 4 days ago

I am 48 I too had my children young , I have a 25 , 23, 21 and a 19 year old , my 25 year old son moved out about 5 years ago and the 21 a year ago and 23 a month ago and now my daughter the 19 year old has told us she is moving out in a couple of months, this has been alot in a short period of time , I feel really lost and sometimes the littlest things bother me and I make a big deal of them, I just do not know how to cope with all of this! Help

Brenda - posted on 10/01/2012

I have three children,one 18,the other 21,and my oldest is 27.I never thought I'd be divorced.I have been since 2008.My ex husband asked me to not have the courts take child support out.That we could work it out.I said,no.He was supposed to pay for their health insurance.It just never happened.I contacted a lawyer? he said/it will cost you more to file,and you probably won't see any monies to pay you back.Now?my sons are both in college,and their father has apparently decided its easier to have his girlfriend who now is the mother of their young boy,(2).be the family spokesperson.Which says? he doesn't want to talk to me.I have tried to communicate with him,regarding the boys financial needs,and got a SCATHING response from the GF.Ex never did respond.The boys(my sons)are so torn,they don't want to take my side or their dads.Dumb ass father.Why can't he call? himself.I chose to not respond to the GF's text.I really could use some advice!

Brenda - posted on 10/01/2012

I have found the perfect solution for me,anyways.I host exchange students from other countries.I love it! they are so happy to have a great home and someone who cares about them.Yes?they are teenagers.. they aren't perfect,but they are so loveable and appreciative.Its just a thought.I (yep) work/volunteer for an organization,so its been a godsend for me and my husband.He(husband) never had children and he took my three on like they were his own.More so than their natural father.You can contact me?and I will give you information.You can decide if this is for you.

Jacqueline - posted on 09/23/2012

HI i am 50 years old, I have two children, My eldest is 28 and still lives at home. But my youngest is 24, he left home just under a year ago. That is when my life fell apart. As time went on l thought i was getting over it. When he comes home, l really enjoy the time he is here. But l just hate to see him packing. Not sure why this really upsets me. I get really tearful. On the whole life settles back down to normal. But its always there in the back of my mind how will l react the next time. All l know is that l need to find a way to deal with this once and for all. When a child leaves home, you are happy for them. You trust them to make right choices. My son as a good job, a home he is settled in. The only butt here its over 4 hours on a train between me and him. I just feel a complete mess at this moment in time. l just want to cry, he went back yesterday. I have not woken to him yet. As l just don't want him to know how up set l am. By tomorrow l usually feel a lot better. Able to get on with normal life , But when does the empty nest go away. People tell me that l have to let go. At least you know you are not alone. But where do you go to get help

Sanchero - posted on 09/21/2012

Yes Miriam, I am suffering from the Empty Nest Syndrome, too. I am 58yrs old and my middle child (age 34) just moved to NJ last month to be w/her boyfriend and I miss her dearly. My other 2 children are 40yo and 33yo and they have their own families / households to deal with. My middle child is a single parent of an 8yo wonderful boy, whom I missed very much for I have being involved in his life since the day he was born. I babysat him this past 2 weeks in NJ and now I am back "home" feeling lonely, un-needed, and empty. Yes, Miriam I know how ye feel. I am trying to redefine my life and see where I can fit in my community. I would like 2 volunteer but my health is not that great. So lets see what's next....Keep in touch.

Kimberley - posted on 02/14/2009

You are not alone! I just posted a similar conversation - feel free to read my story. It's so hard though to explain everything at once...I just feel so lonely for my kids on one hand, but resentful - just a bit - that I still can't fully enjoy "me time" or "me and hubby" time without the kids activities and my worries about them peeking around the edges. Sort of like sitting on the fence. Not really sure what my "position" is now and how to continue being a good mom!

Chin up - we will get through this...keep in touch

Annette - posted on 02/13/2009

Hello,Miriam. I can cetainly relate to you here!! My oldest lives only 2 miles from me, but he never comes to just hang out and visit. It's usually to see what's for dinner,eat and run!!! The youngest is 300 miles away in college, and I rarely see him til summertime. Then--he usually has a job!!! It does seem that they really don't need us anymore. Well--lets hang in there together and be glad we raised them well!!

Christa - posted on 02/12/2009

Hi Miriam. My name is Christa Ryan and I'm a 45 year old mom of two teenage girls, Katie 13 and Lynzie 12 so I'm quite the opporsite from you but I work full time and I really want to be able to make the most of our Mother/Daughter relationship while they're still young and at such a tender age but I don't often find the time to be there for the things that matter most. Like, school trips and whenever they have an inservice. So, I started my own home-based business with a health and wellness company called Arbonne International and it is my goal to quit my job by the end of this year, be my own boss and be there for my children. I've seen so many on my team realize their goals. I have also experienced so much personal growth and have created life-long friendships. This is an amazing business opportunity and a chance to change your life and the lives of so many others. You can check out our website at: www.arbonne.ca



Dare to dream. . . All the best,



Christa

Kimberly - posted on 02/12/2009

I am a 47 yr old single mom who has raised 5 daughters.  My oldest is 27, then I have a 25,20,19 and 16 yr. old.  The youngest is a junior in high school.  the 25 year old is married.  No grand babies here yet......................I work alot to fill the void....................................

Francene - posted on 02/12/2009

I am 43 and have a 19 year old daughter who is a freshman in college. She lives at home (the university is local thank God!) but between studying and her job we don't have as much time together as we used to....we do try to meet for lunch and dinner as often as possible. Once in a while she will call me into her room when she awakens to lay on her bed and talk with her...and I love that.  But I miss the little girl years when she was attached to my hip and we did EVERYTHING  together!  I will say that she has blossomed into a very nice and independant young lady!

Christina - posted on 02/12/2009

oh yes i can relate , my kids are 27 and 25 , but i have the grandkids and stepgrandkids that fill the void , isahia 4 , valerie3, braden 2, zach, 20 months, maykayla, 17 months, jaxon 7 months, and alyssa due in april , so you see it can start all over again with grandkids and believe me if i could of i would have had them first lol , thank goodness i get to see them about every week , and some times i get to keep them for a couple of weeks at a time , and i love it , jaxon is the only one i dont see as much as i would like and its because , she is remarring and trying to get my son to sign his rights over so her new man can adopt him , i dont agree with this but ,im tring not to but in , but that child will always be my grandson and if i have to fight to see him i well

Kimberly - posted on 02/12/2009

Oh yes indeed!!!!