You’ve picked up after them, cleaned their rooms, washed their clothes, fed them before you fed yourself, soothed them when they were injured, held them when their first love broke their heart, prepared them for school, chaufered them to after-school activities and sports, and loved them beyond measure.
You still love them. But today, something’s different. You’re both a little saddened and slightly giddy.
What could it be? I know, I know . . . your nest is empty! Looks like you’re going to have more “me” time on your hands!
You’re grateful and glad to reclaim your time, but there’s more to it than that. You have a sense of pride — you’ve raised your kids well, taught them right from wrong, and prepared them to live lives on their own. Bravo to you.
But now, you’re officially an empty nester . . . now it’s time for you. How exciting is that?
I love that you’re putting a positive spin on this. I became an empty nester 2 years ago, and while I love my kids and miss them, I have so much else going on in my life! No time to be bored or sad! I feel compassion for the moms who are so entrenched in their sadness because they believe that they’re nothing without their kids, but they really need to move on to the next stage of life.
Well said, Shari. By the end of this year or early next year, I’ll have the opposite of an empty nest! My stepson is moving here from England and he’ll be here for at least two years to finish high school. I’ll be a full nester! 😀