Empty Nest

 

All boomers with children do become empty nesters at some point or the other. The fact that the children are grown up and begin living lives independently of their parents can be a period of adjustment for all concerned. It’s a time of change especially for mothers whose lives revolved around their children. As one cartoon lady put it: I’m all alone, except for my husband and the dog!

            It can be a time of conflicting feelings. On one hand parents are glad to have more privacy and more time to pursue their own interests, but they might also worry about adjusting to their new reality. Like any other major change in life, learning to be an empty nester is a gradual process. It takes time to completely let go of one’s children while planning for a new stage in life.

            It can also be a time of worry. Are the children ready to step out on their own? What if something happens? How will they manage? etc.  Children move out on their own, but they do not disappear. Parents are only a phone call, or text, away. Always there to give advice and help out when a problem arises even when far away.

            Younger people no doubt adjust quickly to their new independent lifestyle, faster than their parents adjust to being on their own for the first time since they were married. But for boomers, it quickly becomes very rewarding time when a new adult-to-adult relationship with their children becomes established.

            And I can attest that that stage of life is indeed very gratifying.