Anyone else dealing with the "empty nest"?

[lizziegrace]

My daughter started college this fall and I knew it would be hard. I just didn't realize how hard. My family's all over the country and I even have a sister in the UK. (She can't believe what's happened to her country in 4 years since she moved away...)

Life is work and home with the two four-legged children-my cats.

Dull and depressing.

[evlbstrd]

1. It's a huge adjustment.

Mine went away for 2 years, then came back. But she's still never at home. Working, classes and rehearsals. At least she's not hundreds of miles away.

[Olney Blue]

2. We have been "empty-nested" for about three years....

it was horrible at first, but we have grown to relish the new freedom.

Stay busy, and explore some new interests- it will get better.

And congratulations for having a daughter succeed in going to college!

[Mz Pip]

3. They come back

trust me on this, they come back. Both my sons returned home after college, in and out, in between jobs, in between digs, in between careers. The 28 year old just got married and has settled in NYC (at least for now) and the younger, who is 26, moved back after years away, until he found another place to live. He lives a few miles away. Close but not too close... :-)

It's hard but it is a rite of passage for everyone. It took awhile but I do enjoy the freedom. Maybe it's harder with a daughter. I was sort of grateful for the peace and quite after the "boys" left.

Mz Pip
:dem:

[MuseRider]

4. Oh my, I went through this

just recently. My youngest left last year for school and my oldest 2 years before that. I am lucky that they are both about 60 miles away, not very far but I still rarely see the oldest since he has lots of gigs on the weekend. My youngest does as well but he gets in at least every 2 or 3 weeks. I thought when they were both gone I would die, we were very close.

It gets easier believe it or not but I have never really gotten used to not having them around a lot. It is my absolute pleasure when they come home and then I have to wave them goodbye again and it hurts still. BUT it does get easier.

Find some things to do that you enjoy and do some political work. Those things will keep you busy. Do remember it does get easier. :hug:

[seemunkee]

5. Still have one at home but we all miss the one that is gone

It was tough when our son went away. With the way his school is set up he doesn't come home for the summer either. We're adjusting but even after 3 years it's still hard.

[lizziegrace]

6. Thanks for your replies

I was hoping this would get easier. Sounds like it never really does. I'm trying to keep busy, but I truly hate what I do for a living, but being a single parent with a daughter in college, a mid-life crisis or career change isn't in the cards for awhile.