You Aren't Alone: Coping with Empty Nest!

I want to take a moment to say, thank you, for your questions and positive comments.  

Latest Testimonial - "Thank you, Julie Joining your Free Community Membership has been a great start in understanding what I need to do, in order to have great health. Today I have been asked this question regarding an empty nest. "I would like to know Julie that I am not alone with these feelings emptiness since my son moved away and is it normal"? This question has been asked by Anita in the United States, Thank you, Anita, this is an important question.

These feelings are perfectly "normal" and you are definitely "not alone". You spend every waking and sometimes sleeping moment caring, nurturing, and planning to give your child/children the best possible life. Then before your very eyes, they are all "grown" up and appear not to need you anymore.

In these years ahead it is about working toward them "not' necessarily being needy of you, but wanting you in their lives. Anita's health focus here is to understand what she can do and to feel less lonely about her feelings. I share with you my personal experience and support in understanding these feelings to make "your empty nest - flourish". 

Yes, this is a difficult time, I personally took a while to adjust, re-establishing my relationship with my husband. Making myself take the time to catch up with friends for coffee and lunch. Wanting to be a part of their lives without being controlling or invasive. 

The first step in coping is to keep in contact with your children. Not 24/7 but say once a week. With the great technological developments today, such as cell phones, where you can ring or text message, the internet where you can do Video calls, social media. Are all great ways to keep in contact with your family.

I have a son who lives interstate, and we do a video call say once a month, we also text, phone and message on Facebook. My other two sons, who live closer, visit or phone us, or vice versa on regular basis. Birthdays, Easter, Christmas, and other special occasions are great reasons to organize family get-togethers.

It is important to pursue your own interests and hobbies. My work is both my legacy and foundation for my children and extended family, including the people who are part of my community. Pursuing your own interests and hobbies, improves increased communication and conversation between parents and children, not to mention if in the future your grandchildren.

As you mention wanting to know that this feeling of an empty nest is normal. I am pleased to say, “yes, it is”. Talking to other friends or family members who have moved forward in positive ways from their children leaving home is a great way of bringing emotional balance. It is the next phase of your life, it is important to make this phase exciting and enjoyable by – rekindling your marriage or partnership, meeting new people, establishing new friendships, and re-establishing forgotten ones.

Doing things that may have been forgotten dreams, that you now can make a reality.
 
Articles that I have written that you will enjoy and find helpful regarding family and parenting are:
           

• A parent’s love never dies: 7 keys to building a positive relationship with your adult children 

• A letter of love to your adult child/children: 9 ways to bridging the gap

I hope you found this as helpful as Anita did. Anita messaged me back saying - "Thank you, Julie. I feel so much better and feel happy that I have joined your Community Membership. I definitely don't feel alone anymore and feel so happy for your guidance."