I really never believed that my children would grow up so quickly. I thought I would have plenty of time to spend with them. The reality of an empty nest struck me last month as I watched several friends become empty nesters, my son is looking at colleges and my daughter is going to be a freshman. Whoa! Hold your horses! I just wanted to rewind about ten years or so. I am so glad that I readFun Without Dick and Jane, written by Christie Mellor! This book is definitely the complete guide to settling into and accepting your empty nest. Mellor empathizes with parents who struggle with letting go and moving on into the next phase of life. Not only does she stress the importance of your children beginning the adult phase of their lives, she paints a colorful picture of parents gaining back the freedoms we all may have forgotten.
An empty nest is not about being sad and lonely but embracing new opportunities! Sure, you will eventually miss the clothes in the floor for days, the dirty dishes in the sink, the car being left on empty and the loud music blaring from their room but you want them to become successful adults. This is where it starts, so, pack them up, help them settle and tell them goodbye. They will know you are always available.
Now that you have the house to yourself, redecorate, spruce things up. That mini-van you drove the kids around in, trade it in for a new car, a sedan or even something sporty. Remember when you were free to join clubs and have hobbies? Join a club, make new friends and rediscover old talents. You have been so busy being a parent, you probably have not had much time for dating and romance, right? Commit to date nights and romantic dinners, fan the flame of romance back into your marriage! Take care of yourself, too! Get to the gym, change your hairstyle and update your wardrobe (no more “mom” clothes). In all the excitement of getting your life back, do not forget the kids will come back….for the holidays. Prepare yourself because while you were busy updating your life, so were they. Mellor’s advice is to cut the kids some slack.
Fun Without Dick and Jane is a great read and Mellor shares more council for your empty nest that I could share with you but you just need to read the book for yourself!
I really never believed that my children would grow up so quickly. I thought I would have plenty of time to spend with them. The reality of an empty nest struck me last month as I watched several friends become empty nesters, my son is looking at colleges and my daughter is going to be a freshman. Whoa! Hold your horses! I just wanted to rewind about ten years or so. I am so glad that I read Fun Without Dick and Jane, written by Christie Mellor! This book is definitely the complete guide to settling into and accepting your empty nest. Mellor empathizes with parents who struggle with letting go and moving on into the next phase of life. Not only does she stress the importance of your children beginning the adult phase of their lives, she paints a colorful picture of parents gaining back the freedoms we all may have forgotten.
